Mindful Breathing: Why is it Important?

Mindful breathing is the practice of being aware of your breath. It directs you to be aware and bring attention to the present moment to the body, the mind, the self and your surroundings. It is common knowledge that a daily mindful breath practice can help reduce negative thoughts, lower blood pressure, help in pain management and aid in relaxation.

Ground Ourselves

However, other than that, mindful breathing gives one the ability to anchor themselves fully in their present and choose consciously. This means it can aid in slowing down anxious racing thoughts and sensations. It can help centre us during a conflicting and overwhelming situation, allowing us to process our experience and focus on clearly what is more important to us.

Space For Flexibility

This practice then gives us the ability to expand our preconditioned reactions. For example, breathing mindfully in the middle of an overwhelming argument can allow us to bring safety and security back into our bodies, allowing us to react with a clear mind and then impulsively respond. Taking control of our breathing also allows us more room to relax in a stressful situation to create more creative solutions to a problem rather than tense up out of stress.

Turning Inwards

Mindful breathing allows us to turn inwards and take stock of our bodies. By focusing on the breath and how it expands one body, we can notice how our body is reacting to a situation, for example, having clenched shoulders or a hunched back. This practice is important in realigning our body to feel safe and open towards our goal and helps us release energy that needs to leave our system.

In fact, spiritually mindful breathing has been used for decades to seek control of our body and not only this but to align our chakras and connect with our highest self. This practice is holistically powerful and transformative, making it important.