| Yes, the summer wedding season is upon us once | | | | Forearmsh. Upper armsi. Chest (pecs)j. Neck (front, |
| again. Although it is supposed to be one of the most | | | | back, and sides) |
| joyous and exciting of times, it can also be one of the | | | | 3. Keep all of your muscles tense for a few seconds |
| most stressful. A good friend who just recently tied | | | | 4. Exhale and relax all muscles |
| the knot, became a bit knotted up herself - to the | | | | Repeat 3 times (total) |
| degree that she had to seek medical attention for a | | | | Healing Breath |
| host of stress related ailments such as nervous | | | | This is a great exercise to use if you feel a cold |
| stomach, neck and shoulder pain as well as | | | | coming on, but it is also very relaxing. It works best if |
| headaches and dizziness. | | | | you are lying down with your eyes closed, but you can |
| It's easy to understand how that could happen. There | | | | do it sitting as well. Breathe slowly and deeply (but |
| is so much pressure to make everything perfect - the | | | | effortlessly). Inhaling for 3 seconds and exhaling for 3 |
| ceremony, the food, entertainment, decorations. Add to | | | | seconds is a good guideline, but in general, slower is |
| that mix bridesmaids, groomsmen, family, and inlaws - | | | | better. |
| who wouldn't be dizzy? | | | | 1. Inhale and visualize the breath coming in through the |
| Most of us need powerful help to weather that kind of | | | | top of your head and follow it down to the bottom of |
| perfect storm. Here are several tips: | | | | your stomach |
| First, stay on top of stress. Make sure that you are | | | | 2. Hold it there and imagine it as a ball of energy |
| taking time to exercise and relax, but if you can't do | | | | 3. On the exhale, imagine it like arm water coursing |
| that take a few minutes a few times a day and | | | | down from your stomach and out the balls of your |
| practice the Energy Wave breathing exercise (see | | | | feet. |
| below). It only takes a minute and you can practice it | | | | 4. Pause before inhaling again |
| anywhere, anytime. | | | | Repeat steps 1-4 a total of 3 times |
| Often times stress can lower our resistance to colds | | | | 5. Inhale as in #1 above |
| and flu. If you feel a bug coming on take a few | | | | 6. Hold as in #2 above |
| minutes, lay down and practice the Healing Breath | | | | 7. On the exhale, imagine it like water coursing from |
| exercise (see below). Repeat as many times a day as | | | | your stomach back and up your spine, down your |
| needed. It is also a great stress-buster. | | | | arms and out the palms of your hands. |
| Lastly, if you have trouble with anxiety or panic attacks | | | | 8. Hold before inhaling again |
| (especially in those heart-pounding moments at the | | | | Repeat steps 5-8 a total of 3 times |
| altar), take slow deep breaths. If you are having trouble | | | | 9. Inhale as in #1 above |
| breathing, just focus on exhaling slowly for as long as | | | | 10. Hold as in #2 above |
| you can and the inhales will take care of themselves. | | | | 11. On the exhale, imagine it like water coursing from |
| These simple yet powerful techniques can help | | | | your stomach back and up your spine, up and around |
| dissolve your stress and help make your wedding day | | | | the top of your head, and out through your eyes. |
| one of the happiest days of your life! | | | | 12. Hold before inhaling again Repeat a total of 3 times |
| Energy Wave Breathing | | | | Repeat steps 9-12 a total of 3 times |
| This is an excellent technique to use as a preparation | | | | 13. Inhale as in #1 above |
| for mediation, sleep, or anytime you are feeling tension. | | | | 14. Hold as in #2 above |
| 1. Sit comfortably with your hands in your lap | | | | 15. On the exhale, let it permeate your entire body and |
| 2. As you slowly inhale progressively tense your | | | | seep out of your skin |
| muscles and hold them in the following order:a. Feetb. | | | | 16. |
| Calvesc. Thighsd. Buttockse. Pelvisf. Stomachg. | | | | |