I love the ocean. I wish we lived close enough to walk the beach every day. I find the rhythm of the waves mesmerizing, and the moist sea air really helps my dry eyes, nose, and mouth due to Sjogrens.
Recently, I discovered a meditation technique called Ocean Breath, or Ujjayi Pranayama. It basically involves slightly constricting the back of your throat as you breathe in and out, mimicking the sound of waves rushing in to shore and receding. Here’s a link that describes the practice.
As always, there’s a caveat. If you have heart or lung issues, check with your doctor, first.
I’ve been using a guided meditation on the HeadSpace app, which I find extremely helpful, that varies a bit from the above instructions. It take practice, but it’s quite soothing. You can do it any time of day or night. Great for easing into sleep, waking up in the middle of the night and finding your way back to sleep, or just whenever you need to take a stress-reduction break.
Breathe well.
Evelyn Herwitz blogs weekly about living fully with chronic disease, the inside of baseballs, turtles and frogs, J.S. Bach, the meaning of life and whatever else she happens to be thinking about at livingwithscleroderma.com. Please view Privacy Policy here.
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