The Secret to Living a Long Life

I asked the wise man on the mountain the secret of a long life.

Thus began the birthday card I gave my dearest one yesterday on his 36^th birthday (he finally caught up to his old woman!).

As my birthday gift to you, I’d like to pass along his infinite words of wisdom…

We all seek words of wisdom on living long [healthy] lives, hoping for something profound and meaningful yet easy to do… because who really has time to start eating right, exercising regularly, moderating alcohol, getting enough sleep, etc. etc. etc.? Most of us have asked friends who’ve begun healthier lives what their secret is… and groaned to ourselves when the inevitable answer is “exercised more and ate less!” Gosh that’s not easy or fun at all :o) Bearing this in mind, I was relieved to see the punch line:

Keep Breathing As Long As Possible!!!

Well that’s all at once obvious, funny, and great advice!! Both ancient philosophy and modern science meet on the importance of breath, in its ability to relax the body and purify the mind and blood. Traditional meditation techniques have you focus on your breathing, as you slow down and clear your mind of anything else. Whether you repeat a single word like “one” or “peace” or “watermelon” with each cycle, or choose a pairing [I like Matt Weinstein’s “Calming” on the inhale, and “Smiling” on the exhale, because I find that I actually do smile with each exhale!], the objective is to clear your mind of everything else while you breathe in…then breathe out.

In tonight’s Yoga class, Lorraine had us try a new breathing exercise: “Bee Breathing.” If you’d like to try this at home, breathe in through your nose until your lungs can’t hold any more. Hold it for a moment, then as you exhale slowly, make the soft, audible noise that a bee makes as you let the air go. It’s kind of funny, yet calming at the same time.

Action Challenge: Make it a point to carve out five (yes, 5) minutes of every day, just to breathe consciously, while doing nothing else. Close your eyes, get into a comfortable position, whether seated or lying down, turn off the radio or TV, and take deep deep breaths. Do it before you get out of bed in the morning, or in-between meetings while you’re at your desk at work, or as you’re trying to fall asleep at night. Five minutes is only one third of one percent of your day, surely you can make that time! You’ll find your stress levels start to go down, with this simple, non-painful, easy thing to do.

Now those are words of wisdom I can live with!

Cheers and all my best to you!
~Brooxi

“To Breathe without stopping is the Way. To Love without ending is the Way. These are the two poles of Life: Breath and Love. They are the way to All.”

- Matt Lippa

© Stephanie Brooks 2008