Accepting Change

There's nothing more consistent and welcoming in our lives than the changing of the seasons. It might be one of the only events in our existence that we don't resist. But for most of us change can be a very fearful and unpleasant experience. Most people show physical signs of stress throughout the body with the most common being shallow breathing, tight neck and shoulders, jaw clenching, headaches, and muscle soreness or body aches. The majority of these physical changes within the body can be remedied by simply changing the breath cycle. The breath is our life force and a vital determinant of our state of health. The breath in yoga is thought of as a lubricant for the physical body, as well as a calming agent for the mind.

So the next time your day doesn't go as planned and you begin to feel any of the ailments mentioned above, I invite you to turn to your breath. Simply begin to notice it. Is it shallow and rapid? Is there tightness around the chest or heart center? If yes, then consciously take a deep inhale, pause for a second at the top of the breath and let out a slow steady exhale until you have evacuated all the air in your lungs. Pause again for a moment before you take your next inhale. Do this for at least 5 to 10 breaths. You should begin to notice the breath and the body relaxing. In addition, close the eyes and turn your attention inward so that you can fully focus your attention on calming your breath, mind, and rejuvenating your spirit.   

Change is not something we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they're meant to be. anonymous

Happy Fall,
Namaste~
Chica