A very effective relaxation technique - Alternate Nostril Breathing

About ten years ago I went on a Yoga course at the Scandinavian Yoga and Meditation School and was taught this relaxation technique.

I was a little skeptical at first but its a really effective way to calm frazzled nerves! I find it effective in that you are actually DOING something PHYSICAL rather than just some form of MENTAL relaxation. Meditation etc. can be very hard to do when you are feeling stressed and it is more something to do on a regular basis as a preventative measure against stress. I view Alternate Nostril Breathing as a first aid technique for a person who is ALREADY stressed. So look beyond the yogic mysticism and see a very effective relaxation technique.

This is what Holistic Online has to say about it:

If you don't do anything else, this is a simple yoga breathing exercise that can be done virtually anywhere, anyplace. You will be glad you did.!

With this exercise, we breathe through only one nostril at a time. The logic behind this exercise is that normal breathing does alternate from one nostril to the other at various times during the day.

Benefits

- The exercise produces optimum function to both sides of the brain: that is optimum creativity and optimum logical verbal activity. This also creates a more balanced person, since both halves of the brain are functioning property.

- The yogis consider this to be the best technique to calm the mind and the nervous system.

For details on how o do this exercise please visit HERE.

Good Luck!,
Allen

A very effective relaxation technique - Alternate Nostril Breathing

About ten years ago I went on a Yoga course at the Scandinavian Yoga and Meditation School and was taught this relaxation technique.

I was a little skeptical at first but its a really effective way to calm frazzled nerves! I find it effective in that you are actually DOING something PHYSICAL rather than just some form of MENTAL relaxation. Meditation etc. can be very hard to do when you are feeling stressed and it is more something to do on a regular basis as a preventative measure against stress. I view Alternate Nostril Breathing as a first aid technique for a person who is ALREADY stressed. So look beyond the yogic mysticism and see a very effective relaxation technique.

This is what Holistic Online has to say about it:

If you don't do anything else, this is a simple yoga breathing exercise that can be done virtually anywhere, anyplace. You will be glad you did.!

With this exercise, we breathe through only one nostril at a time. The logic behind this exercise is that normal breathing does alternate from one nostril to the other at various times during the day.

Benefits

- The exercise produces optimum function to both sides of the brain: that is optimum creativity and optimum logical verbal activity. This also creates a more balanced person, since both halves of the brain are functioning property.

- The yogis consider this to be the best technique to calm the mind and the nervous system.

For details on how o do this exercise please visit HERE.

Good Luck!,
Allen

Relax: Pretend You are on Vacation!

Without wishing to state the obvious, have you ever noticed how relaxed people are when they are on vacation! Have you noticed how they move and how they walk? They walk slowly. They amble along without a care in the world. People who are on vacation stroll leisurely along the beach in their shorts and flip flops, perhaps with a towel thrown over their shoulder.

Well, with this technique, it is all about how you walk. As you walk, imagine you are on vacation, slow down, stroll leisurely along as if you are at the beach. Imagine how you would feel if you were really chilled out and relaxed. Relax your shoulders and allow your limbs to go a little floppy. You can practice this while walking to the photocopier or on your breaks. Don't worry if it feels unnatural at first. Slowly but surely your body will get the idea and you will carry the feeling of relaxation into the rest of your daily activities.

Try it and see!

Allen

Relax: Pretend You are on Vacation!

Without wishing to state the obvious, have you ever noticed how relaxed people are when they are on vacation! Have you noticed how they move and how they walk? They walk slowly. They amble along without a care in the world. People who are on vacation stroll leisurely along the beach in their shorts and flip flops, perhaps with a towel thrown over their shoulder.

Well, with this technique, it is all about how you walk. As you walk, imagine you are on vacation, slow down, stroll leisurely along as if you are at the beach. Imagine how you would feel if you were really chilled out and relaxed. Relax your shoulders and allow your limbs to go a little floppy. You can practice this while walking to the photocopier or on your breaks. Don't worry if it feels unnatural at first. Slowly but surely your body will get the idea and you will carry the feeling of relaxation into the rest of your daily activities.

Try it and see!

Allen

Technique to Make Boring Work More Exciting and Keep you Calm at the Same Time.

Technique to Make Boring Work More Exciting and Keep you Calm at the Same Time.

This is "borrowed" from Zen Buddhism and it is also mentioned in the "Calm" books by Paul Wilson ( see www.calmcentre.com for details of his work).

Many people have mundane jobs. Many jobs have mundane parts to them even if they are really exciting. You may even have "boring" chores to do at home. What if I told you that there was a technique that would enliven those so called "boring" tasks. What if I told you there was a way that would allow you to increase your feelings of calm and even help you develop your spiritual life while doing seemingly repetitive and tedious tasks? Let me explain.

Most meditation techniques involve repetition e.g. they can use the repetition of a mantra to concentrate and center the mind. Well in the "100% Effort" technique your attention is undivided and concentrated at the task at hand. You are in the moment!

Let me illustrate for you what I mean. Imagine you had a large wall to paint. Perhaps the wall has about 1000 bricks in it. You could sit and curse the fact you have to paint the walk or you could concentrate and make each brick as perfectly painted as you are able. Or perhaps you have some house cleaning to do. Take time and make those floors shine! Be the best cleaner you can be and focus your attention on the job at hand. You will find time will fly. Your thoughts will be calm and you will produce great results in your work.

I was skeptical about this technique but with some practice it does work. I guess it is what our grandparents used to call "taking pride in your work!".

Give this a go and I am sure you will feel much better about doing those so called "boring" jobs.

Good Luck,
Allen