Balancing Act

Life is a balancing act. At times, it’s a breeze and at times it feels like it’s spiraling out of control. The daily practice of yoga and meditation allows practitioners to regain control of their lives and return to their true selves or their Atman. By slowing down and focusing on their breath (especially the exhalations) practitioners can calm their sympathetic nervous systems (SNS) and reactivate their parasympathetic nervous systems (PNS). A number of scientific studies have proven that bodies whose SNS’s are constantly in full gear are more likely to develop stress-related health problems such as fatigue, weight gain – especially around the abdomen, increased blood sugar and increased inflammation. 

Next time, you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed, step away from whatever it is that is stressing you out, and just breathe.

Simple Meditation:

•  Begin by closing your eyes. Take a deep breath through your nose. As you inhale, allow your abdomen to rise. This should be a subtle movement, don’t force it.

• On the exhalation, slowly allow your abdomen to compress. Allow your navel to reach back towards your spine. Repeat the same breath - inhalation and exhalation - five times, each time, allow your exhalation to last a bit longer and become a bit stronger. Let go of anything that is bothering you.

• After your fifth cycle of breath, try to start clearing your mind even more. Mute your monkey mind and push away all of the negative things and thoughts that are plaguing your conscious.

• Stop worrying about what is going to happen and start thinking about how you feel in this present moment. Be thankful to be living in this present moment - right here, right now.

•  Imagine that there is a soft white light in the middle of your belly –  take that light and send it to the person, project or flaw that is stressing you out the most.  If it’s a person who is causing your stress, envision that person, receiving the light and releasing the pressure that they have been putting on you. 

• Breathe and let go.  With your eyes still closed, continue to concentrate on the white light for five more cycles of breath.  After your fifth breath, slowly open your eyes.