Monthly Tips
August, 2007
Energy is Your Personal Power
Our energy is our power. Binding it or dissipating it contributes to feelings of powerlessness, fear, confusion, constriction or pressure.
To cope with stress we are inclined to increase, decrease or freeze our energy. An increase or excess of energy to cope is manifested as a pattern of overcompensation for fear or weakness. We see this in people who dominate situations and people. On the surface this may look like a powerful approach. However, internally the excessive energy required to accomplish this behavioral style tends to become stagnate and create a health problem for the individual in whatever area of the body the excess was accumulated.
A decrease in energy or a freezing response is manifested in withdrawal in order to avoid conflict or challenge. This deficient energy state results in a feeling of being unable to cope, or have what it takes to work through situations, hence they retreat. Unfortunately this often has the consequence of reinforcing the original state and the person experiences even more of a sense of emptiness, restriction, and uselessness.
Our bodies and habits give us clues as to how we are managing our energies in response to stress. In addition to behavior, an outward manifestation of how we are managing energy is reflected in the shape our body takes, as well as in how we carry ourselves. On the positive side, our energy system is highly responsive to change and there are a wide variety of approaches that can be used for transformation.
Breath awareness and management is perhaps the simplest and most basic way to begin to be conscious of your energy patterns as well as providing you with a great method to begin to build and flow energy more easily.
Improper breathing patterns contribute to the experience of stress, anxiety, panic, depression, muscle tension, headache and fatigue. Healthy breathing practice is a key factor in the release of stress, energy flow and improvement of physical and psychological well being.
| Thoracic breathing - Most common pattern - Shallow, rapid, irregular - Upper chest expansion - Shoulders rise | Result: - Blood not oxygenated properly - Increased heart rate - Increased muscle tension - Fight-Flight triggered | Leads to: - Breath holding - Hyperventilation - Faintness |
| Diaphragmatic Breathing - Deep - Regular - Slow - Entire chest expands | Result: - Proper oxygenation of blood - Regular heartbeat - Decreased muscle tension | Leads to: - Experience of ease, calm - Inner Peace - Centeredness, focus - Relaxation Response |
Energy & Healthy Breathing
- Proper oxygenation increases electrical charge at cellular level
- Negative ions facilitate release of carbon dioxide
- Negative ions promote passage of oxygen into bloodstream
- Positive ions have opposite effect
- Diaphragmatic breathing enhances shearing action of blood flow
- Shearing action of blood flow enhances energy
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