“As I moved every part of my body, there was a strange feeling from within. There's a weakness. It felt like I was about to fall on the floor.”
It was a wellness Wednesday. I was so excited to attend my first virtual yoga class.
This is a good activity for a routinary life during these quarantine times.
Yoga Mat? Check.
Yoga Outfit? Check.
Yoga Space? Check.
Laptop with Internet Connection? Check.
Teacher Donna, our Yoga Instructor, led an invocation. It was followed by being grateful that we have given ourselves a chance to listen and be aware of what’s happening from within us.
It was a great opening for me that I could feel my breath as I calmed my mind and emotions.
We did different yoga poses for beginners.
When we were about to end, I felt dizzy but I didn’t make it obvious so that it wouldn’t distract anyone.
After the session, I informed Teacher Donna about how I felt. She said that maybe I wasn’t breathing properly so it happened.
She’s right. I was too focused on the tension on my body and maintaining my gait as I did my yoga poses. I was just holding my breath whenever I did that.
Same thing happens when we are so focused on doing our daily tasks and errands. It can be at work, business or even at home. Have you noticed that our breathing becomes shallow?
Deep, slow proper breathing helps the lungs to get enough oxygen to be distributed to different parts of the body, including our vital organs like the brain for better function.
Yes, proper breathing is really important.
Let’s practice. Let’s do abdominal or belly breathing.
- Sit with your spine straight. Feet flat on the floor.
- Place a hand on your belly.
- Slowly inhale through your nose. (As you breathe in, the belly should move against your hand and the chest has to remain still.)
- Slowly exhale through your nose or mouth. (As you exhale. The belly should move inwards while the chest is still.)
- Repeat the process at least 10 times.
Now, how do you feel?
As we inhale, the air goes through our airway which expands the lungs causing the diaphragm to move downwards and making the abdomen expand.
As we exhale, the air goes out the airway which deflates the lungs causing the diaphragm to move upwards and making the abdomen move inwards.
It’s really a good practice to consciously do this especially now that our breathing pattern is usually impaired because of the use of face masks.
This breathing exercise can be done inside your room or if you have an open space.
Our body deserves a good amount of oxygen to maintain its function.
Inhale peace, love and joy… Exhale distress, fear and anxiety…
Breathe in… Breathe out… Repeat.