Recharge

Recharge, by Tarisa Parrish

Ever have one of those days when everything seems to be moving faster than the speed of light? By mid-day, you’re left feeling dazed, confused and exhausted. I find that when I become aware of feeling this way, I need to listen to my body and fill its need to be re-centered, recharged and relaxed. With so much time and energy spent on the “go” it can be a special reward to take a few minutes out of our day to JUST BREATHE. You can stop, close your eyes and breathe deeply. Or, if you want a powerful boost, check out the mini-exercise which describes a technique called the 4/4 Energizing Breath from Kundalini Yoga. This can create a great “pick up” in your day. Try it before meals, meetings at work, or to avoid that late afternoon “pass-out syndrome.”

Use the mini-reflection exercise below to help you energize. Tarisa facilitates The Power of Commitment—Making or Breaking a Habit using a powerful approach that combines personal coaching with Kundalini Yoga.

Mini-Reflection Exercise

4/4 Energizing Breath

Sit with a straight spine cross-legged on the floor or in a chair with both feet on the floor. Firmly press your palms together at your heart with the fingers pointing up. Close your eyes and begin the Energizing Breath:

Inhale, breaking the breath into four equal parts of sniffs, filling the lungs completely on the fourth breath.

As you exhale, release the breath equally in four parts, emptying the lungs on the fourth.

On each part of both the inhale and exhale, pull the navel point toward the spine. (The stronger you pump the navel the more energy you will generate.)

Continue for 2-3 minutes.

To end, inhale deeply, press the palms together with force for 10-15 seconds. Create a tension in the whole body by pressing as hard as you can. Hold the breath as long as possible. Exhale powerfully and repeat the inhale, hold, press. Exhale, relax and allow the tension in the body to vanish.