Article

Breathing and Being and Doing

Topic: Holistic HealthBy Scott GauthierPublished Recently added

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Ken Dyctwald in his book Bodymind wrote that "To breathe is to feel, and conversely, not to breathe is not to feel. So how do you feel today? How are you breathing? I have found that it is very helpful to check in on your breath in order to gauge how you may be feeling. Here are some questions to ask:n
  • Are you breathing fully and deeply or is your breath shallow?
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  • Are you breathing quickly or slowly?
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  • What parts of your body are moving as your breathe - your belly, your ribs?
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  • Do you feel constrictions in certain places?
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  • Ask yourself: "What emotion am I feeling?" Frustration, sadness, irritation, anxious, calm, peaceful?
  • I have found that there are times of the day that we can just focus on our breath for a few moments. These situations naturally give us a few moments to relax and evaluate our breath and our feelings:nn
  • When you stop at a red light while driving. This is a good time to take a few conscious breaths.
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  • Right after you hang up on the phone. Take a breath and evaluate how you are.
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  • Just before you start the next project, open the door, or get out of the car.
  • Sometimes it is just good to notice things and not try to change them. Just feel what is going on a be with it for the moment. Often that is all that is needed to allow it to change. More information at http://awarebody.com

    Article author

    About the Author

    Scott has been involved in the education of the body for 23 years. He graduated for the College of William and Mary in Virginia in 1982 with majors in Physical Education and Philosophy. Later he attended James Madison University where he earned a Master's degree in Physical Education. He coached the JMU Gymnastics teams from '82-'93. He was voted ECAC Women's Gymnastics Coach of the Year in 1992. He was drawn to Structural Integration when he saw how it created changes that he had been previously taught were unchangeable. It united both his interests in the body and philosophy. "The changes I experienced in my own body by going through the ten sessions were amazing, " says Scott. "I used to always have trouble with my right leg since I broke it during a gymnastics competition in 1979. But after the ten sessions I was amazed at the increase in flexibility and balance that occurred. That much change and relief motivated me to go back to school." And he resumed his studies of anatomy and physiology until he met the strict requirements for acceptance to the Guild for Structural Integration and two years later became as certified practitioner of Structural Integration himself. "I believe that Structural Integration can bring relief to people suffering from chronic aches and pains, headaches, and emotional stress."

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