Thankful

God gave you 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say, “thank you”? –William A. Ward

It is often times not until we can’t do something that we begin to appreciate what we can do. When you can not get up and out of bed life seems difficult. Then when you are able to get up and take a simple walk there is sense of gratitude.  We give thanks for the simple things in life. The ability to make the body move is what gives us the power to live and experience the wonders of life. The breath is the ultimate power. Without the breath life ends. In yoga the breath is referred to as the “kiss of life”.
We use the breath in yoga to connect with the essence of our body, mind, and soul.  It is the pure energy of life. The breath is often referred to as prana or life force. It is not the oxygen and carbon ratio of breath that keeps us alive but the force of life that makes the breath possible and this force is what yogis call prana.
We take for granted our ability to breath and most of the times are completely unaware of our breath and how it may be controlling our physical and mental selves. When stressed our breath is quick and heavy and when we are relaxed our breath is soft and gentle. In yoga we use the breath to attain a state of quietude letting the body and the mind relax into a state of peacefulness by connecting the breath to each movement and each thought that arises within our mind. That is why breath is such an important part of doing yoga.
Generally the average person completes about 16 to18 breath cycles per minute. Increasing the inhalation and exhalation substantially reduces the number of cycles per minute.  This slowing of the breath calms and rejuvenates the body-mind as well as adding longevity to your life. Rapid breath uses unnecessary energy, increase heart rate, and blood pressure as well as taxes the internal organs. Relaxing and taking deep long breaths slows down the heart rate and relaxes the entire body-mind.
When the breath is irregular the mind is incapable of giving us a steady and focused direction. Decisions are more difficult and problems are harder to solve. When we learn to direct the breath through conscious awareness we gain a greater discipline over the physical body, increase our ability to concentrate, realize a higher state of consciousness, and develop the ability to draw upon that extra something when it is needed.
That something extra comes from the soul. It is the quality that gives birth to extraordinary insight and creativity.  That extra something is also found in the reflection of life as joyous and wonderful.  Being grateful requires a sense of being connected to all that exist.  Take a deep breath and then gently release. You have 86,400 seconds today so take just one of those seconds and give thanks for just one thing in your life.

Doctor Lynn
www.doctorlynn.com