August 11, 2010

{Relaxation Response (sigh)}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
Did you just sigh? I've noticed that when a woman becomes a bride, she sighs a lot.(Happy sighs, woeful sighs.) Being in love (sigh), having a looooong to-do list (sigh), finding the perfect dress (sigh).

Let's make better use of those sighs and turn them into intentional deep, long, soothing breaths. This way you can stay relaxed while engaging in your busy life and planning your wedding (sigh).

Breathing guru, Dennis Lewis, says in his wonderful book, Free Your Breath, Free Your Life, that "a long, slow exhalation turns on your 'relaxation response'." Hmmm. So how about a little practice right now?

Breathing through your nose, take a deeeeeep, slow inhale; and then allow your exhale to be even sloooooower and longer. Don't rush, enjoy the ease of letting go with each exhale ... like a long, luscious sigh. Continue this relaxation response whatever you're doing. Just pay attention to your breaths ... especially those longer, relaxing exhales (sigh). 

Love. Listen. Let go.
....with love from Cornelia

[Photograph: Missy McLamb]

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