Something that we do all the time, however seldom give any though to – is your breath.

And it is CRUCIAL!! Not doing it has dire results. And not doing it with awareness ALSO has disastrous results!!

Why is your power breath important?

In previous Mind Chi blogs, I have shared ways to check how you are currently breathing. At this time, many people discover that they are taking shallow, high chest breaths.
This is the least effective way to breathe and exacerbates the strain of any stressors.

Let’s look at two crucial reasons why your power breath is so important.

1. Your brain requires approximately 20% of the oxygen of every intake of breath.
   Lack of oxygen to the brain is why you may feel tired, confused, forgetful and can’t think clearly when you feel the strain of stressors.
2. Controlled power breathing sends a message to your parasympathetic nervous system and tells you that you can remain in control. You do not need to let the ravages of stress overcome you.

How to do your power breath

There are just 4 simple steps:

1. Breath in puffing out your belly, slowly for a count of 3 seconds
2. Hold that breath for a count of 3 seconds
3. Breathe out slowly for a count of 3 seconds and
4. Stay empty (wait – do not breathe back in right away) for a count of 3 seconds
   and repeat.

Additional considerations:

1. If you are able, make sure your feet are both square on the floor; if seated, that your sitting bones are solidly on the chair; that you stack your vertebrae one on top of each other, so you do not require extra energy to hold your body up, and slightly wiggle your head to make sure it is balanced on top of your spine.
2. If you are walking to a meeting or something you are really not looking forward to, just perform your square belly, power breath as you go, and continue throughout the meeting as much as you can.
3. If you are already skilled in breathing techniques, feel encouraged to make each side of the square longer – just keep them all the same length.

Here is a 4-minute video explaining the square belly power breath: https://thechangemakergroup-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/p/vanda/Ed7iA72gC-lKiga60kwYl2oBnCr58whAQJnsbEIbF11j4Q?e=FbUtvW

The square belly power breath is the first step of Mind Chi

For the next few weeks, I am going to ‘deep dive’ into each of the 8-steps of Mind Chi, so you may discover more of their importance and potential for you to control your mental energy and build your resilience.

Chi and I are standing by on the ready to take your calls and emails!

To book a 15 minute Mind Chi Chat with Vanda to explore how Mind Chi might assist you, your group, team or company build resilience and joy!

And for more wonderful Mind Chi blogs:

Want more resilience for your organisation, here:

Here is a short cartoon about ‘Resilience for Change’