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“Your breath decides what’s next,” Ibu said last week in restorative yoga.
Many of you were curious about this. Me too. What does it mean?
I googled it, and a list of scientific articles popped up. I wasn’t expecting that. And then I wondered, “What would Ibu say?” So, I asked.
After restorative yoga on Friday, I asked Ibu what it means to her.
She placed her hand over heart and said, “The breath is deeper than your chest. More powerful than your heart. It is your soul.”
Soul.
This is my Moxie Moment. Figuring out the power of breath. Not only in my physical and mental health, but my soul.
Moxie Coaching Challenge. Breathe.
1. Want to make better decisions? Pay attention to your breath.
Ibu says that your breath goes to your brain, and to make good decisions, your brain needs the breath. First, focus on the breath. Then, trust the brain.
The breath can lower your cortisol and blood pressure and even change your nervous system. I love having the power of my nervous system.1
For me, I also use a tool from my counseling degree from the University of Houston (hello Brene) the “non-anxious presence.” As a counselor and now as a social entrepreneur before a “big” meeting or before I step on stage, I will breathe in, “Be the…” and breathe out “non-anxious presence.”
During the research for this column, I read a lot about James Nestor and his research on breathing all over the world. According to Nestor (author of Breath) 5.5 seconds in and out through the nose is the magic number-not the mouth.
And I learned about “heart breathing” from Tony Robbins. It reminded me of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). His five steps to find answers in two minutes gave me powerful insights into two things I was struggling with. Try it out.
Your turn! What decision do you need to make this week (start small)? Pause. Focus on the intention and breathing in and out from your nose for 5.5 seconds each (or whatever feels right). Or try Tony’s five steps. What did you discover?
2. Stomach problems? It’s your breath.
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