Meditation and stillness are powerful tools for calming the mind, body, and spirit. They provide a respite from our busy lives and allow us to reconnect with ourselves deeper. But did you know that all of these benefits can be connected by something as simple as your breath? You can unlock your immense power by bringing awareness to your breath during meditation or stillness practice. Our breath is our gateway to inner peace, clarity of thought, relaxation, and stress relief - all without leaving where you are. So why not take some time today to explore what lies beyond your breath?

*note - I recommend reading the blog and watching the accompanied video to get the most value.

Use your breath to activate calmness

Your breath is a practical and essential part of meditation and stillness training. It helps to focus the mind on the present moment, allowing you to access a deeper level of awareness and keeping your good self alive. Accessing your power can be as simple as counting your breaths or repeating positive affirmations, but they create a powerful connection between your body, mind, and spirit.

A practical breath technique you can use right now - TheBoxBreath

The Box Breath, also known as the Square Breath, is a mindfulness technique that helps to slow down and regulate the breath. It is a simple yet effective technique that can be done anywhere and anytime. The term "box" refers to the four equal parts of the breath, which resembles the outline of a square.

To perform the Box Breath, you start by inhaling through the nose for a count of four. Once you have reached the top of your inhale, hold your breath for another count of four. Then, exhale through your mouth for a count of four, and hold your breath for another count of four. Repeat this cycle several times, focusing on your breath's steady, rhythmic pattern.

As you practice the Box Breath, you may notice a sense of calm and relaxation washing over you. The technique activates the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for the body's rest and digestion response. When we breathe deeply and slowly, our body experiences a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension, which promotes relaxation and stress relief.

A way to improve focus and concentration

In addition to its calming effects, this technique strengthens your focus and concentration. By bringing your attention to the breath and following the pattern of the four-part cycle, you train your mind to stay present in the moment and let go of distractions. As an Aquarian, my mind races between a zillion different thoughts. It's helped me loads by giving me a way to hone into stuff I need to do versus the continuous distractions of life.

Overall, the Box Breath is a versatile technique that can benefit anyone, regardless of your level of meditation or stillness experience. It is a valuable tool for finding inner peace and reducing stress in our busy lives.

The key takeaway - use this to take back your power

The Box Breath technique is a powerful and versatile tool that can reduce stress, improve focus and concentration, and promote inner peace. It is easy to learn, requires no special equipment or training, and can be done anywhere. Whether you're an experienced meditator or just starting your journey towards stillness, the Box Breath will help you find calm in this chaotic world. Give it a try today – who knows what kind of power lies beyond your breath?

Ps. If you’re up for learning more about Meditation, check out my Fun-damentals of Meditation Guide here.

NIKKO