1: Rest/Relax
In Pranayama, this technique is called Rechaka.
What is this method used for?
RELAXATION: Relieve stress and anxiety in a matter of minutes with this technique! Wind down and relax.
GETTING INTO FLOW: Enter a calm flow state where you are relaxed and perfectly focussed with a clear mind. Increases productivity and decision making.
DIGESTION: Switches on your parasympathetic nervous system so you can digest your food better. This exercise can be done before and after a meal.
SLEEP: Helps you relax so that you can fall asleep faster.
This is also one of the techniques used in The Awakening Ceremony.
Scientific Explanation Of This Technique
Instructions
Fast Track Training
How to do the method:
- Sit in a comfortable position with your back straight.
- Inhale through your nose or mouth.
- Purse your lips and gently breathe the air out of your mouth very slowly as though you are breathing out through a straw. Relax all of the muscles in your body as much as possible while you do this.
- As you exhale, imagine a wave of relaxation flowing down your body from the top of your head to the soles of your feet.
- Repeat the process for 5-10 minutes, several times a day if you like. The more you practice this, the more effective it is at lowering your blood pressure and heart rate.
- Once you have exhaled, you can also hold your breath there for a few seconds before inhaling and repeating. Gradually increasing the breath hold time each time you repeat for an even deeper effect.
Enhancements To This Technique
The Evidence-Based Supporting Research:
- Improves symptoms of asthma (Ritz & Roth, 2003; Lehrer et al., 2004).
- Effective treatment for COPD (Fregonezi et al., 2004; Cabral et al., 2015).
- Relieves symptoms of depression (Vedamurthachar et al., 2006).
- Reduces stress (Mahour & Verma, 2017).
- Maintain a healthy weight with health cholesterol levels (Prasad et al., 2006).
- Improves cognitive functioning (Sharma et al., 2014).