Breathing and Mindfulness Mode “If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” – Amit Ray

I lived for quite a while without realizing that anxiety can be conquered by focusing on the breath. When I was a kid, riding mbike through the paths among the corn and bean fields, all you could feel was the amazing feeling of the air. You could breathe so deeply and the the breath felt fantastic. It was an incredibly good feeling with the country air blowing through my hair and being able to fill up with deep breaths of air.

Sometimes in my life I didn't feel the relaxed feeling of deep breathing. Sometimes in my life when I faced anxiety, I felt like I just had to be in nature. I went there and walked or roller blading among the huge trees. I feel a part of the trees and of nature. That was the only way I could feel satiated.

On Mindfulness Mode, many of the people I interview mention breathing and how important it is. Mindfulness and breathing go together for many of my guests. Many of my guests also mention a physical activity that makes them feel they are in the flow, totally mindful. I think that is related to the breathing that goes along with the activity.

Here in Canada in the wintertime, the air feels so fresh, cold and clean. It is an awesome feeling.

When I was a kid I slept upstairs in the farmhouse and in the wintertime the air would be cold and fresh. Now I still love having the air cold and fresh at night, so I turn the heat down.

“At this moment, you are seamlessly flowing with the cosmos. There is no difference between your breathing and the breathing of the rain forest, between your bloodstream and the world’s rivers, between your bones and the chalk cliffs of Dover.”- ― Deepak Chopra, The Book of Secrets: Unlocking the Hidden Dimensions of Your Life

Sharon Roemmel from Episode 26 talked about breathing. She said: “I like to use breathing as a diagnostic.” You can do that too.

James Newcombe from Episode 13 is a professional trumpet player. James is an expert at controling his breath and knowing how to make his breathe to work for him so he can perform amazing passages on the trumpet.

In Episode 035, Anne-Claire Holland said “Stop and Check Your Breathing When Panic or Anger Feelings Surface.” She uses breathing to maintain a level of calm.

“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”
― Thích Nhất Hạnh, Stepping into Freedom: Rules of Monastic Practice for Novices

Related Episodes:

035 Anne-Claire Holland: Stop and Check Your Breathing When Panic or Anger Feelings Surface

013 James Newcomb: Trumpet Performance Disaster Avoided with Mindfulness

026 Sharon Roemmel: Erase Pain and Find Your True Purpose With Yoga

Books:

Conscious Breathing by Dr. Gay Hendricks

Om Chanting and Meditation by Amit Ray

Stepping into Freedom: Rules of Monastic Practice for Novices by Thích Nhất Hạnh

Solo Weekend Action:

Sit down and take a deep, slow breath. As you do, count slowly to five. Hold it comfortably for two counts and then let it out slowly as you count to five again. If this feels comfortable, do it again, four more times. If it doesn't feel comfortable, just breathe any way you want and remember, you can't do it wrong. Just notice your breathing.

Thank You Bonus:

As a thank you for listening, download your Calm Your Busy Mind Infographic. It focuses on breathing, exercise and mantras. Please leave your name and email you'll receive it in your inbox right away. Download It here.