Improve your energy levels

Most of us are enjoying the World Cup matches. However, for some of us(especially here in Asia!), the matches are shown in the early hours of the morning and thus I know of a lot of friend who sacrifice their sleep to catch the action. As a result, they might feel a lack of energy and enthusiasm during the next day at work(unless of course their favourite team wins, then there's a magical surge of energy!). So, I thought that I should re-emophasize some techniques that you could use to improve energy levels, especially those who are unable to get a good nights' rest. Here's a simple but powerful breathing exercise to energize your day:

Important notes
•If you feel dizzy when practicing this breathing technique, you should stop and substitute normal breathing. If you suffer from vertigo, you should use caution in practicing this breathing exercise.


•You should be careful practicing these exercises if you have high blood pressure, heart disease or suffer from stroke or epilepsy.
 
Steps
•To practice this breathing exercise sit up in a comfortable position.

•Elongate your spine upwards, lengthen your neck and subtly bring your chin back and in like a soldier at attention. This will align the spine with the back of your head.

•Close your eyes.

•Bring the palms of your hands together at sternum level but have them 2-4 inches away from your chest. Your elbows should be up such that your forearms are parallel to the ground.

•Press the palms of your hands together applying equal pressure to both sides. The pressure should be firm but not excessive.

•Relax your diaphragm and stomach muscles.

•Then you should begin with Diaphragmatic Breathing. Which means to breathe into the abdomen. Also called Abdominal Breathing.


•To do this, as you inhale allow your diaphragm to move down and stomach move out (expand). Try to only use your abdomen, not allowing the chest to rise (or fall) as best you can. On the exhalation, let the diaphragm move up and he stomach move in towards the spine. So only your stomach region is rising and falling on inhalation and exhalation. Continue on for 3-5 minutes, just using your stomach/diaphragm to breathe.  

Please feel free to email any question/comments to bodypulse@ymail.com. Enjoy the World Cup action! For non-football fans, have a fabulous week as well!