| There are many different meditation techniques | | | | Next up, take a nice, long, deep breath in. Notice |
| available. One of the easiest is called breathing | | | | how the air feels as it travels through your mouth |
| meditation. After all, you already know the basic | | | | or nostrils, down through your airways, filling your |
| idea as on average you take around 17,280 | | | | lungs with pure air. Pay attention to how your |
| breaths each day. | | | | lungs react and notice how your chest moves out |
| As with almost all meditation techniques, it helps | | | | as you breath in. Don't overfill your lungs though - |
| to find a quiet place where you are unlikely to be | | | | you'll know when you've breathed in enough air, |
| disturbed. You can practice alone or with a friend - | | | | so remember to stop before it hurts! |
| sometimes it helps to keep you "on track" if a | | | | If you're comfortable with the idea, hold your |
| friend is at hand to lend support, especially when | | | | breath for a second or two, maybe longer with |
| you are just starting out. | | | | practice. If not, don't worry about this step. |
| You can do breathing meditation sitting down or, if | | | | Then slowly exhale. Again, notice how your lungs |
| you prefer, standing up. Experiment to see which | | | | gradually deflate. Feel the air traveling back out |
| is best for you. Some types of breathing | | | | through your airways. If you're doing a breathing |
| meditation use body movements to emphasize | | | | meditation to help improve your health, imagine all |
| the meditation, but you'll know this if the | | | | the toxins from inside your body riding out with |
| meditation instructions lead you that direction. The | | | | the air you are exhaling. When the toxins reach |
| simple breathing meditation technique I describe | | | | the outside world, see them twinkle and |
| here can be done whilst you are standing or | | | | evaporate, like a cartoon. Stop breathing out |
| sitting - it's your choice. | | | | before it becomes uncomfortable. |
| Once you've found your quiet place, simply notice | | | | Then repeat the exercise. |
| your breathing. Is it deep or shallow? Or has your | | | | The first few times you try this, aim for between |
| breathing gone "self conscious" on you, now that | | | | 5 and 10 repetitions. You can gradually increase |
| you're paying attention to it? Whatever you're | | | | the number as you get used to using a breathing |
| currently experiencing is almost certainly OK. | | | | meditation. |