Using Breath to Destress

I have many clients who simply do not know how to breath deeply. They have gotten so stuck in flight or fight and/or maybe just never slow down long enough to relax their body to an extent that's effective.

Either way, a common occurrence is that I check a client's breathing skills when they confess or admit that they are simply unable to relax or soothe themselves when under pressure or great stress -- and find that they are not breathing deeply into their abdomen.

The key is in abdominal breathing: one must connect with one's deeper wisdom, located in the gut, the abdomen. The breath must travel all the way down to the abdomen vs. getting stuck in the chest, which is common for shallow breathers.

I have found for some clients that if they have not developed a sense of self that is authentic and true to their own core, that they actually are virtually unable to breathe deeply. These people include those who are reactive to the world around them and the people most closely associated with them. When I say this, I mean that they are not in touch with their own feelings on a matter or even the values they hold most true, so they are vacillating and changing according to whomever they're with.

If they were to connect to their center, their gut wisdom, they would be less controlled by this chameleon like quality that perhaps has served them well, a form of survival in some cases or situations.

Still, however, in terms of truly soothing the system, the sound of deep breathing is in itself, soothing -- and the slower tempo of the breath slows the tempo of the body to include the thoughts, the systems of the body and more. The breath is more powerful than most people realize.

Perhaps because it is free and seemingly a simple idea, the breath as a powerful method for stress control, relaxation and even decision making is overlooked. Overlooked, that is, until you potentially become my client.....