Can yoga actually change traffic?
July 14, 2014Living in Austin Texas for almost 40 years I've seen many, many changes, but nothing like the expansion of highways and the explosion of traffic. It used to be the usual traffic delays in the morning and after 5, but soon a lunchtime congestion merged the two creating continuous traffic woes. In Austin you are either early or late, but rarely do you arrive on time.
Plus, with over 100 people moving here every day, many folks drive around confused or just plan lost, creating its own types of problems. Add to that it seems stress and road rage are contagious spreading out to many other drivers. So, what does this have to do with yoga?
Can yoga actually change traffic?
Of course yoga can't change traffic, just like it can't have your spouse put their dirty clothes in the hamper; or your kids pick up their rooms; or your boss talk to you with respect. BUT, what yoga can do is change your reaction to whatever in your life isn't going as planned. A defense to whatever circumstances have come together to hold you back from being your best self when times are uncertain.
This is the cornerstone to what yoga brings to you, and it's not about standing on your head, touching your toes or your ability to be calm and clear in the face of problems, large and small. Developing your best self is yoga's deepest and most lasting gift, and can be done by everyone.
Reduce your stress with Deep Belly Breathing (DBB)
Just sprinkling Deep Belly Breathing (DBB) throughout your day can reduce your stress and have an impact on stress-related diseases. There's no need for any special equipment or space to be in and, after all, you're breathing anyway so why not give DBB a try? Her's how:
- Sit, stand, lay down on a plane, in a car, in the doctor's office or lying in bed wide awake at midnight, it doesn't matter. Try to be positioned so there's no restriction to your chest.
- Breathing in and out through your nose, soften your belly; relax your diaphragm as you inhale. Let your breath expand sideways to your ribcage and up to your collarbone.
- On your exhale, release your breath from top, middle to bottom. A gentle squeeze to the bellybutton as you press all the used air out.
- Each breath try to add a little more depth to your inhale, a little more length to your exhale.
It may help to think of your lungs as a pair of pitchers being filled with liquid - that's your inhale filling the bottom first and then up. When you pour into a glass the pitcher empties from top, middle to bottom, and that's your exhale.
It doesn't matter if you do it just once, or many times in a row. It's okay if you feel some stinging in your lungs, but if you begin to feel dizzy stop and return to normal breathing. It helps to practice DBB before you really need it so attach it to another activity you know you'll be doing to integrate some regular practice. I like doing DBB at red lights, getting to watch my seat-belt move or during a commercial when I'm watching TV.
I hope this will give you a start to creating your yoga practice. Independent of your size or circumstance adding just a few deep belly breaths not only calms you, but also nurtures each cell of your body as you return to being your best self.
 | ABOUT THE AUTHOR Abby Lentz, founder of HeavyWeight Yoga, is a pioneer in the development of yoga for people who are overweight and obese. She has created and re-created yoga and life disciplines that are safe and effective for larger bodies — built on her over 42 years of yoga experience. From personal practice, to teaching, then training others to teach HeavyWeight Yoga, at 66 Abby brings the benefits of yoga to everyone regardless of their size or situation.Read more articles by Abby Lentz! |
