Simple breathing exercise to strengthen the lungs and calm the mind for cold & flu season

Today I am sharing a breathing exercise with you that helps me stay calm and focused during times of high stress. It’s also a great breathing exercise to strengthen and control the lungs and help oxygen disbursement throughout the body. My favorite thing about this exercise is that you can do it anywhere: in the car, at the store, at the office – or in this case in your home since many of us are working remotely – and if you really want to challenge yourself, try it while walking slowly. Training the lungs when we are healthy is very beneficial to aid breathing during more difficult times, like with our current viral outbreak and during regular cold and flu season. For a visual reference, see our Breathing Exercise IGTV post @leafpeople

Before beginning, I like to set my intention for all beings to benefit from the practice, something like: today while doing this breathing exercise, may the calm and serenity that I experience be experienced by all beings everywhere, without one exception. 

While doing this exercise, visualize all parts of your lungs being filled with clean air, nourished, expanded, exercised and activated and when exhaling and releasing, see your lungs as regenerated and stronger.

So let’s get started! 

Inhale for 5 counts.

Hold for 5 counts. 

Exhale for 5 counts. 

Hold for 5 counts. 

Repeat for 2 – 4 minutes and work up to longer periods of time.

 

That is it! 

If you are unable to do a 5 count for breath phase, reduce to a 3 count on each of these phases. Over time you can work up to 8 or 10 counts to increase strengthening your lungs and mastering control over your breathing. Let’s keep ourselves strong, grounded and focused so we can be our best selves for each other, this day and always.

 

Similar Posts

  • Founder Series, Part 1

    Photos: my record size king salmon – age 6, being primped for a sister city celebration in Hokkaido, Japan – age 15, photo of Homer – photo credit unknown. In the beginning… The core philosophy behind Leaf People is largely influenced by my childhood in Alaska, with its entrepreneurial and self-sufficient spirit. My family lived…

  • Founders Series, Part 2

    Photo: Still sisters after 30 years. My host sister and I  in Leuven, Belgium.   Discovering Possibilities. I was fortunate to graduate from high school at 17 which allowed me to join the American Field Service, a foreign exchange program, as a gap year before college. Through AFS, I was stationed in Lummen, Belgium, a…

  • Founders Series, Part 3

    Photo: Walking Palm, Amazonian Rainforest. Who says plants can’t move?   After living in Australia for a year, I ventured to South America, following an unplanned route from Buenos Aires to Bogota over a period of nine months. I settled in Bolivia to study Spanish and learn from local herbalistas who sold medicinal Andean plants…

  • Founders Series, Part 4

    Photo: The beginning,  an early morning at the Aspen Saturday Market,  featured in Aspen Sojourner Magazine During my time in the jungle, I had a strong vision about wanting to share the stories of plants. Having spent the previous 15 years working with clay, this idea first took shape through a series of ceramic vessels called the…

  • What is Herbal Skin Care?

    In herbal medicine, we believe in using the entire plant, as nature created it, so that all of its components are allowed to work synergistically together. Because we as organisms are so tied to the botanical world, our cells most easily recognize plants in their natural state. The more we leave plants in their whole, unadulterated form, the better our bodies can recognize and absorb their benefits.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *