I've spent my day assessing students of Kung Fu as they progress on their journey to black belt.

It's a hard day, especially for the little ones who get really nervous.  There are a few tears throughout the day from the adults as well as the children.

Some because of impact, most because of emotion.

Dealing with both types starts with the same thing - returning the students breathing from panicked to calm.

I get them to focus on their breath, then to breathe deeply in through the nose and slowly out through their mouth.  We do a few cycles together.

Then we deal with the issue, be it physical or emotional.  

After a few calming deep breaths, most of the emotional overwhelm and tension has eased and the student often returns to the class without much encouragement.

Your parents probably told you something similar - count to 10 or take deep breaths before dealing with somebody you had a stress with.

It's instinctual.  Flooding your body with oxygen is revitalising, yet so many of us breath shallowly in to our chests rather than our bellies.  That limits the amount of oxygen getting in and also has an affect on your hormones long term.

Taking deep breaths before bed can help promote a better quality sleep, both Fran and I have written about that several times over the past few months.

Take some time out this evening to breath deeply and focus on how different it feels to breath in to your belly rather than your chest.  You might find it difficult to breath in to your belly, I met lots of people who have lost that natural skill, through my injury clinic.

Restoring a natural breathing pattern is one of my first focuses because it has such an impact on total body health.

Try it, you have nothing to lose.

Darren 'Miyagi' Checkley

P.S.  Today's Daily Lent Challenge - another easy one as it's late in the day, take 50 deep breaths in to your belly about 15 minutes before bed.