Breathing is so simple, so obvious that we take it for granted; ignoring the power it has to affect body, mind and spirit.
~Silvia Mordini

Like many people that have TBI’s, [Traumatic Brain Injuries] anxiety is a problem that we so frequently encounter.  When I had severe anxiety at work, I went to counseling to learn tactics in which I could control my anxiety, a big tactic was breathing.

Breathing of course is so automatic to all that we often forget that we are doing it.  I found that by taking a deep breath is an easy way help adjust to the here and now, to collect your feelings, then stopping the negative self-talk, and by remembering to journal.  Journaling is kinda like talking yourself down from a ledge.  It’s only you that’s talking, but you are getting the whole story down on paper, sifting through what is really bothering you, how you feel about it, and writing with a clear head how to form a positive outcome.  Sometimes even seeing your worries written out you actually start laughing at how silly and trivial your worries can really be.  Journaling always helps me feel better, along with the conscious breath flow, and positive self talk, I have become very good at talking myself down from ledges of all kinds.

Some techniques include paying attention to the breath, staying and living in the present moment, are also some of the yoga, meditative beliefs.  Most yoga instructors remind the cclass to take long deep breaths, to fill your whole body with oxygen.  Control of the breath is almost as important in yoga as the asanas (positions held in yoga) and key for relaxation, it brightens up the whole mood and state of mind.

Yoga targets your whole being, and ultimately your whole outlook on life. ~Kaisa Kapanen

To me, yoga is more of a physical action, that allows you to concentrate on the contortions that we’re trying to put our bodies in and forget all of the problems of the world, if only for a few hours.  Filling your lungs with air and breathing deeply actually improves your mood, when you remember to do it. Remembering is the hard part.

Today is Thankful Thursday, and I can say with a positive mindset that I am thankful for the ability to practice yoga, both physically and mentally.