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The attainment of inner peace does not require any external force. There is a huge energy reservoir within our bodies that is sufficient to fulfill all our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. All that’s required is to channelize and balance the movement of seven primary energy centers, or chakras, in the body.

These seven Chakras each have a distinct color associated with them, which governs its movement – balanced or imbalanced. If there is an imbalance, you can correct it by employing Chakra Color Therapy to the relevant imbalanced Chakra.

Before discussing about the Chakra Color Therapy, a brief description of the primary chakras and their associated colors won’t be out of place:

1. The Base Chakra (Muladhara) is situated at the coccyx (base of the spine). This first chakra is associated with our very basic survival needs, courage, and vitality. The color associated with this chakra is Red. The attributes of Red color for the body includes vitality and energy provider on all levels.

2. The Naval Chakra (or Svadhisthana), situated at the center of abdomen, is associated with emotions and sexuality. Orange is the color associated with this chakra, which empowers the body with self-confidence, feelings of success, and independence of thought.

3. The Solar Plexus Chakra, or Manipura, is located just above the navel. This chakra is associated with will, identity, and power. The associated color is Yellow, which is known for its qualities of self-worthiness, clarity of thought, and intellect.

4. The Heart Chakra (or Anahata), situated at the center of the chest, is associated with love, relationships, and compassion. Green is the color associated with this chakra, which empowers the body with the sense of forgiveness and intimacy.

5. The Throat Chakra (or Vishuddha), situated at the base of the throat, is associated with communication, creativity, and resonance. Blue is the color associated with this chakra, which empowers the body with the sense of self-identification and clarity in communication.

6. The Brow Chakra (or Ajna), situated between the brows on the forehead, is associated with perception, intuition, and imagination. Indigo is the color associated with this chakra, which empowers the body with qualities, like visualization, understanding, and clear vision.

7. The Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) is situated on top of the head. This seventh chakra is associated with knowledge and wisdom. The color associated with this Chakra is Violet. The attributes of Violet color for the body includes spiritual awareness and self-knowledge.

Quite simply, Chakra Color Therapy refers to simple exercises that use the relevant colors to correct the movement of imbalanced chakras. But, before you employ Chakra Color Therapy to treat the imbalance, it’s vital to know which chakra or chakras is/are affected in the body.

For the very first step, you can simply lie down, relax, and mull over all the events in the day in any order that is convenient to you. The experience of emotions related to each event will tell you the affected chakra. After identifying the problem chakra, it’s time for Color Breathing. It’s simple. Take all the seven colored cloth swatches besides you. Put the relevant colored cloth on the body part, which is represented by the affected chakra. Lie down, close your eyes, relax, take deep breaths, and simply visualize the absorption of the color by the affected body part for 5-10 minutes. Repeat this exercise if there are more affected chakras in the body.

Chakra Color Therapy is a healthy option for maintenance of chakra balance. For daily maintenance, just lie down and repeat the above process by placing the relevant colored swatches on the relevant body parts. 5-10 minutes should be sufficient to recharge your chakras and correct the imbalanced ones to give you a better life free of physical, emotional or spiritual ailment.

Tags: Self Improvement by Jonathan Benjem
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The study of the body’s chakra system is often referred to as Chakrology by its proponents, alternative medicine advocates and New Age theorists. The existence of our chakra system was first discovered by the Ancient Hindus more than four thousand years ago. They have used the model for healing and promoting and individual’s well-being.

There are seven major energy centers among the several thousands that make up our chakra system. These seven major chakra points are the doorways of energy that we gather from our environment and surroundings (including other individuals) that make up the complete person that we are in terms of spirituality, physical and mental existence as a human being.

Each major energy point of our body’s chakra system possesses a unique function which contributes to a unique feature of our individuality. Although they work independently of each other, they are at the same time processing the energy they gather towards a common goal: our well being.

An interesting note to consider is the similarity of all the models used to portray our chakra system, regardless of philosophical and/or educational background. They all illustrate a connection to our glandular system!

The common representation of our major chakras is a straight ascending line along the spinal column from the base to the top of the head. Modern representations go one step further and assign the primary colors of the color wheel to each of the seven major energy points for a better illustration and to depict particular energy representations as colors symbolize different energy levels as well.

The importance of the seven major energy centers of our body can not be simply disregarded. Since they are continuously open (but invisible) gateways of energy from our surroundings, they directly affect our health and total well being should any glitch in their processes occur. Which is why, even if they are invisible to the eye, taking good care of them is necessary for good health.

Our body’s energy centers play a very important role in our well being – both physically and spiritually.

Since the chakra system is the principal processing center for every facet of our self, any interruption, obstruction or dysfunction or fault in the flow of energy in the chakras usually results to illnesses or disorders in our body, mind or spirit. A malfunction of the energy flow through any of the seven major chakras results in a corresponding reaction to specific areas of the body which generally affects the entire individual. The reason for this is because energy fields are generally holistic in nature and can not be separate from its complementary component parts; a malfunction of one affects the others in one way or another.

Of the major energy points of our chakra system, only five are believed to possesses a front part (generally dominant) and a rear part (less dominant). The first chakra (located at the base of the spine and portrays an individual’s physical vitality and survival) and the seventh chakra (located at the crown of the head and portrays a person’s totality of being and spiritual perfection) are usually represented as having only one dominant component. The other five energy points of our chakra systems are spaced between the first and seventh chakras.

It is necessary to understand and be conscious of the functioning of our chakra centers because more energy is channeled through the first and seventh energy centers. With constant exercise of our chakra points, we can manipulate them to send and receive energy equally.

Tags: Self Improvement by Anne-Marie Laureaut
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There is a simple way to achieve happiness. The means is to simply be happy. You are most likely wondering right now, how do I get to be happy?” “Things just don’t work like that, it doesn’t take into consideration the times that I am wretchedly unhappy because of problems or mishaps that arise in my day to day life, not to mention the tragedies.” At this stage I have to halt and meditate. Meditation can be performed in many different ways, just find the one that works best for your purposes.

Being happy more often than you have been is an incredibly difficult task to achieve-until you learn the way of it once you know how and then in keeping aware of what you have discovered. Yet, I still say that with meditation it can be accomplished. The path that you have selected that led you to your present situation was not a few days or weeks in the making, but a long and strenuous path that has extended through many years.

In truth of it is it has taken you a life-time to become the way you are today. It has also taken you that long to gain what you have achieved, to possess, and to arrive at your present condition. By taking the time to meditate and contemplate who you are, and whether what you have in your life is truly what you desire, If you are completely satisfied with the way your life is going, congratulations-do more of what you have been doing and you will acquire more of what you already have in your life.

But if who you are, what you have, and your current conditions are less than what you want or perhaps vary from what you long for, you have to start meditating about some fundamental alterations you will need to make in your life. Failure to make those alterations will find you continuing to seek the things you really would like in your life as the years fly past.

Because some of this that you are reading will seem out of reach, preposterous, or to you maybe even irrational and it may at first offend you, causing you to ridicule what you are reading and maybe even make you feel you need to reject what you have read. I really want to suggest to you that prior to rejecting how meditation can assist you through your life, ask yourself whether or not you want it to be true-then for your benefit please give yourself the chance to see it as true.

In this day and time with all the things we have to deal with in our lives it is very hard to stay on a positive level and be happy all the time, But just by taking a few moments a day just meditating by yourself will help you keep things in perspective where instead of being unhappy about the circumstances you are in, you can find a way to find the happy part of being unhappy.

Tags: Self Improvement by Dick Ingersoll
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I spent the past week of my life dealing with the necessities of my father’s funeral and burial. He died a week ago Monday, and I mention him because he was without a doubt the most positive manifesting person I knew. And he never saw The Secret or read philosophy. I was with him by his side the last day and a half of his life. I held his hand. He did not want me to let it go. And it was both the most heartbreaking and the most beautiful time of my life- as I have never felt so much love in a room as I felt that day.

My father spent most of his life singing, dancing, and telling jokes. He lived in what I will call the happy zone, and for the most part life was a gift he opened with zest. So when I speak of how to access the law of attraction energy, I am speaking in some ways about my father, a great role model for me.

It becomes important then if we want to live in the ‘happy zone’ of attraction for us to determine what makes us happy. Do you enjoy sitting by a babbling brook? Watching the sky turn red at the end of the day? Watching fireflies? Telling a joke with friends?

Peaceful music puts me in a peaceful place, as does contemplating a lovely piece of artwork. And I can’t say enough about reading a piece of spiritual writing for altering my mood. It may be the musings of the Dalai Lama, the Alanon book “Courage to Change”, “Conversations with God” or even the affirmation cards of famed attractions Louise Hay.

Love is also a great place to be to attract the good. For me the presence of love occurs in the space of other people, such as my children, friends, and family. We may be cuddling watching a movie- or simply talking and listening about what is good in life- or what works- and love becomes present.

When I was a kid my dad and I loved to sing together in the car. We sang at the top of our lungs with the windows up or down. It didn’t matter. And this was how we found our joy together. Joy being all important to accessing The Law of Attraction Energy. So now what is it that brings you joy and happiness? And are you willing to do it, day in and out, no matter what other agendas and jobs you have? Because that truly is the only way to manifest the good in your life. You must feel happy and be happy.

One thing is for sure, when I want to access the law of attraction energy I do not watch Freddy Krueger, or a sad movie, or even the news- which is often fraught with negativity. And as I think of my dad, he was always a ‘Sound of Music’ kind of guy. So I follow in his footsteps.

So as you go through your week and your day, and you want to access the good in life, do what makes you happy. You can even do what makes others happy, and your happiness will often follow along, if you do it with goodwill, and no regrets or resentment. If you can’t do that, then do something just for you. Do what makes you feel good, and you will begin to manifest the good in your life. And it will also honor the memory of my dad, a true light on this earth- whose light can still live on through all of us.

Tags: Self Improvement by Lorelei F
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We love the Biblical story of Jesus feeding the multitudes because it is so motivational! It contains the formula for continuous prosperity. Jesus shares it so clearly –step by step! It’s as simple as A–B–C!

Writing about prosperity always reminds us of Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert cartoon. We read an interview with him in Fast Company magazine, where he said that his business plan was very basic: to make more than I spend! Now, there’s a down to earth, no nonsense prosperity plan!

As you formalize your prosperity plan, here’s the formula to guarantee continuous prosperity flowing in your life:

A: Acknowledge: Acknowledge your potential, not your problems!

When we get into tough situations, it is so tempting to focus on lack — on the proverbial problem. But Jesus demonstrated that it is more important to focus on the potential. The disciples were centered on the problem of feeding 5,000-25,000 people. But Jesus said, “Let’s provide them something to eat!” In the Gospel of Mark, He asks: “How many loaves do you have?” He is exhibiting the need to focus on what we possess. He is asking the disciples to imagine what CAN be done, rather than on what can’t be done.

Keep yourself in the frame of consciousness of always being centered on potential rather than the problem. One way is to create Attitude of Gratitude Lists, at the point of a frustrating situation. On this list, you can pinpoint specific things for which you are appreciative. This literally shifts your consciousness into a more positive frame of reference.

B: Bless: Bless what you possess.

The first thing Jesus did was bless the loaves and fish that were available. It wasn’t a begging prayer — like ‘Oh, God, make this stretch to feed all these people!’ It was a prayer of thanksgiving. He knew there was abundance, because He knew the principle of Mind Action.

C: Claim: Claim and share your prosperity!

It is important to take action — step out on faith, knowing our prosperity is manifesting. Jesus handed the bread and fish to the disciples and instructed them to distribute it. The tiny amount of bread and fish must have appeared kind of puny — and maybe the disciples thought Jesus had lost it! But they did as He requested! And not only was the multitude fed, there were twelve baskets of leftovers!

So, never see mountains of lack. Instead envision peaks of potential. And never, never, never confuse your net worth with your self worth.

Tags: Self Improvement by Richard Ingersoll
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I can count the times I joined my dad on a fishing expedition on one hand, actually on three fingers. But those three fishing experiences were unforgettable indeed! I was an inquisitive seven-year-old and was ecstatic about going fishing with my dad.

Each time I threw out the line, I caught something — and my lines never even hit the water. On the first toss, I hooked my father’s favorite fishing hat, pulling it unceremoniously off his head. I remember his initial frustration turning to amusement as he helped me reel his hat in. I also recall how the wet hat looked on his head. He wouldn’t fish without it.

On our next fishing adventure, I hooked the back of my shirt — twice! I did succeed in capturing several fish. It wasn’t many. I remember they were little, and I learned how to speak fisherman’s lingo. I discovered what is meant by ‘catch and release.’ If they’re too small, you throw them back!

I’d catch a tiny cat fish or snag a turtle and look at my dad and ask, ‘Release?’ And he’d nod his agreement. When it came to fishing, I was not giving Dad much to celebrate.

On my third and final fishing expedition with Dad, I snagged his left ear lobe. I didn’t do it on purpose! But I hooked it good! I didn’t need to ask about ‘catch and release’ that time. I remember thinking, “Holy mackerel, is he going to toss me overboard?”

When I look back on those fishing fiascos with my dad, it struck me that our time together was the valuable thing. After I ‘hooked and released’ I preferred to immerse myself in a book, take/jot down notes, and write something of my own while Dad fished. I didn’t know it then, but those initial writing projects were the start of my writing vocation.

My father liked to catch fish — and I liked to catch ideas. Later I learned they’re the same thing. I also discovered that most fishermen catch their best fish by the tale — TALE — and I learned nothing grows as fast as a fish from the time it bites until it slips away.

I have another fish story for you. It comes from the Gospel of John — John 21:1-6. But it’s more than just a fish story. It’s about how the brain functions.

If you take this story at face value, seven fishermen took the advice of a person who never fished in the pond, so to speak. Obviously, there’s more to the story than meets the eye. Metaphysically, this story has incredible truths to teach us:

There are seven disciples identified: Simon Peter (faith), John (love), Thomas (understanding), Nathaniel — who is the same as Bartholomew — (imagination), James, son of Jebedee (wisdom), and two more un-named disciples who were probably Simon, the Cananaean (Zeal), and James, son of Alphaeus (order). These seven disciples symbolize the spiritual qualities which help us in manifesting ideas.

Sea of Tiberias = the spiritual insights we can gain when we apply our spiritual powers

Fish = Divine ideas. (In verse 11 it says the disciples caught 153 large fish — which they did not ‘catch and release’ — 153 stands for the number of known species of fish at the time of this Gospel story. When we connect with Spirit, we have access to an inexhaustible supply of ideas)

Net = Our mind, which catches ideas

Fishing at night from the left side of the boat = literally means we are fishing in the dark if we try to comprehend spiritual truths from a left-brained material awareness

Right Side = Always indicates the side of truth. It also stands for the right side of our brain, our intuitive side, our creativity.

So, when we work out of our sense consciousness (Fish at night), we find ourselves working like crazy, but end up empty. However, when we connect with Spirit and practice truth principles (fish from the right side of the boat), we can tap into an inexhaustible supply of Divine Ideas which bring us the prosperity, peace and joy we want.

Holy mackerel! All we need to do is harmonize both sides of our brain to catch Divine Ideas. It just takes using a little bit of our “net” worth.

Tags: Self Improvement by Richard Ingersoll
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We orchestrate our experiences by the activity of our thinking. Everything in the manifest realm has its beginning in thought.

The seat in which you are sitting was once a ‘Fig Newton’ in someone’s imagination. The clothes you are wearing were once a spark in someone’s thoughts. This article was once a figment in my imagination.

Everything you can see and touch has its start in thought. This is the Law of Mind Action. You already have a well-grounded understanding for thought power or you wouldn’t have been attracted to this article at all.

The reality of the matter is – we are what we think and we think what we are! Proverbs 23:7 tells us: “For as (we) think in our heart, so are (we).”

The brilliant Theosophist, Dr. Annie Besant, had this to say:

“(We) fix the normal vibration-rate of our minds. Thoughts which do not harmonize with that rate will be flung aside when they touch the mind. If (we) think truth, a lie cannot lodge itself in (our) mind; if we think love, hate cannot disturb us; if we think wisdom, ignorance cannot paralyze us. Here alone is safety and power. The mind must not be allowed to vibrate as it pleases, because that means it will answer to any passing vibration.”

Her last statement warns us to pay attention to what we think. “The mind,” she says, “must not be allowed to vibrate as it pleases, for that means that it will answer to any passing vibration.”

In other words, we’ve got to Feng ShuiShui our thinking.

When we fill our minds with the right thoughts, arranged in the correct order, our choices and actions will be the perfect choices and actions. Our living will come from the right place, and the right place is from our Divine Center.

Correct thinking comes from Divine thinking. Emmet Fox tells us: “Negative thoughts and feelings are like a spark that falls on your coat sleeve. Brush it off and it will do no damage. Let it linger and it will burn a hole.”

Charles Fillmore said in his provocative book, Atom-Smashing Power of Mind: “The most important issue before (us) today is the development of (our) spiritual (mindset) and through it unity with God The taproot of all our confusion is our failure to use our mind intelligently. The gods determining our faith are our own minds working on our brain cells and on the world. This will eventually be found to be true, and the discovery of the law of Mind Action will be the greatest revelation of all time.”

If he were speaking today, he might say, “We have got to Feng Shui our thinking!

Ask yourself what you desire out of life:

Do you want to be joyful? Healthy? Feng Shui your thinking!

Do you want to enjoy unlimited prosperity? Feng Shui your thinking!

Would you like to have financial security and be incredibly giving? Feng Shui your thinking!

Can you imagine yourself contributing significantly to your favorite ministry? Feng Shui your thinking!

Can you envision yourself in the perfect work for you and expressing your incredible gifts? Feng Shui your thinking!

Have you found the perfect relationship? A person who is the perfect life partner for you? Feng Shui your thinking!

If you haven’t experienced those things already then – Feng Shui your thinking!

Charles Fillmore, co-founder of Unity, shared, “The most important issue before (us) today is the development of (our) spiritual (mindset) and through it unity with God The taproot of all our confusion is our failure to use our mind intelligently. The gods determining our faith are our own minds working on our brain cells and on the world. This will eventually be found to be true, and the discovery of the law of Mind Action will be the greatest revelation of all time.”

So, Feng Shui your thinking. And create the life you deserve to have.

Tags: Self Improvement by Richard Ingersoll
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Is goal setting a valid strategy to reduce debt? Personal financial debt can appear overwhelming on occasion. It can cause much frustration and tension in our lives. As a matter of fact, financial troubles are one of the leading causes of divorce in this country. Debt can also lead to poor health.

There is a way out of debt. It takes three steps. First, you must admit that you have too much debt. Next, you must commit to taking the required activities to reduce your debt. Finally, you must employ goal setting to establish a step-by-step plan to get out of debt.

The first step in goal setting for debt reduction is to analyze how much debt you have. Most people are not mindful of the total debt they face. This adds to your stress because ignoring a problem does not make it go away. Most experts propose making a chart or spreadsheet that lists all of your creditors and the total you owe. Also list the interest rate of each debt. Then prioritize which creditors you need to pay off first.

The next step in debt reduction goal setting is to determine the minimum payment each creditor will consent to. List that on the chart or spreadsheet. Remember that if you only make the minimum payment each month, your finance charges will eat up most, if not all, of your payment. There are a number of free debt reduction calculators available on the web. This will help you determine how much additional you need to pay. It will also help you with your goal setting efforts.

At this point, a lot of people feel completely overcome by the amount of debt they may be facing. If you find yourself in this position, you might want to think about a credit counseling or debt consolidation service. There are a number of good ones available. Check with you local Better Business Bureau and online to decide which is right for you.

In your goal setting and analysis, you may decide that you are not able to afford to make any increase in your current debt reduction payments. This is not necessarily true. Look over your present family budget and look for areas where small modifications can be made. Remember, it only requires a few dollars added to your monthly debt payments to make a difference.

Additional goal setting ideas for debt reduction are to trim back your expenses. Examine your utility expenses. This is an area we have a little control. Also have a look at cutting down your grocery spending. Buy only those items you truly need by keeping away from impulse items. Buying at wholesale warehouse club stores will usually save you money. Cut up your credit cards. Drastic but it works. Carry only one major credit card and use it only for emergencies.

Goal setting will help you stay motivated to reduce your debt. Place your chart or spreadsheet so that it is visible. Divide your goals into small chunks. This will create some easy wins. Record those wins on your chart. It is also valuable that you give yourself rewards for accomplishing those goals. This will help you stay motivated. Goal setting to reduce your debt can be fun if it’s approached with the right intent. Last, statistics show that most people who apply goal setting to reduce their debt are debt free in three to four years. In the scheme of things, that’s a very short time.

Tags: Self Improvement by Dick Ingersoll
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Our body and our energy points are subject to various environmental influences, both positive and negative. It is therefore important that each individual responsible undertake effective chakra cleansing practices in order to maintain balance and harmony among our physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual aspects. This is necessary so that our chakras (energy systems) always function in unison with one another for a healthy and active lifestyle.

Following are some of the highly effective chakra cleansing practices man has used for thousands of years in the past:

1. Smudging with certain herbs and plants like white sage can clear certain types of negative energy obstacles in your energy points. Simply go inside a room with the door and windows closed and burn some white sage and let the smoke fill the room; remain in the room for a few minutes.

2. Undergoing auric brushing or having someone run their hands down chakra line from top to bottom also frees energy jams. Some people recommend the use of crystals and gems can be used to clear out blockages in your auras but some of the gems and crystals are too strong and requires very good experience in order to prevent serious damage rather than effect healing.

3. Live healthy by eating the proper diet, drinking plenty of water and fruit juices coupled with regular sleep and rest should be an individual’s norm instead of maintaining a hectic daily schedule. A healthy lifestyle is highly recommended in order to preserve our energy systems.

4. Regular physical workouts and breathing exercises are very important to the maintenance of healthy and strong chakras. Aside from making the heart healthier, regular physical activity and proper breathing also ensures unrestricted blood flow to all parts of the body.

5. Establishing a connection with nature is one way of gaining positive influences on our energy systems since nature is an integral part of our environment and existence.

6. Color therapy is another effective chakra cleansing practice. Colors, with their effects on individuals can successfully be used in initiating chakra cleansing either by visualization or by looking at the real color.

7. The power of music should never be underestimated nor set aside. Music is an effective stimulant and chakra cleansing method that balances the functions of our energy points.

8. Stimulating our mental power and engaging in worthwhile intellectual pursuits are critical factors to maintain a healthy chakra. The mind rests in the mental aura and this level of the aura needs to be stimulated or it will slow down, accelerating the aging process. We need to be learning, interested, and passionate about something at all times in our lives.

9. Allocating a few minutes daily for reflection on the day’s events is also a powerful chakra cleansing method. Spending some time alone and giving serious thought to our daily happenings and situation gives us a clearer perspective and awareness of everything that affects us and our environment.

10. Learn to love yourself. This is important so that you can also learn to love others around you. Feelings of love and appreciation releases chemicals that benefit our body and in the same way, feelings of anger also releases chemicals that affect us negatively.

11. Be aware of your emotions and express them to others responsibly. Repressed thoughts and feelings create energy jams that block the flow of energy and prevent good health.

12. Be creative in everything that you do even if it is not related to the arts. Enjoy your tasks and perform them in a jovial manner and they would not be a drudgery.

13. Coming to terms with our past and having an appreciation of its meaning can provide us a deep understanding of our objective as a human being.

14. Maintaining sincerity and reliability in all facets of our lives keeps us healthy and righteous. Living a life anchored on moral values help make us more productive, creative and dependable, not only to ourselves but for others as well.

15. Prayer is also a central element of our health and energy systems. Prayer allows us to communicate with a Higher Being who can help us achieve emotional balance and stability. Prayer helps quiet down our minds to make us receptive to everything around us.

All the above methods of chakra cleansing are very important. However, it takes practice and a realization of your love for yourself and others before you can truly understand and use them for chakra cleansing. It is not necessary to use them all at the same time but it is recommended to start off with one or two or three and continue to add methodologies over time. Chakra cleansing is not achieved instantaneously, it is a constant and lifetime process (just like chakras are continually in motion) in order to achieve and maintain a healthy balance among all the elements involved.

Tags: Self Improvement by Anne-Marie Laureaut
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Of all the symptoms that a panic attacks sufferer experiences during a panic attack difficulty in breathing would seem to be the one that causes the most distress. Breathing problems associated with anxiety and panic attacks can run the range from hyperventilation where the breathing becomes uncontrollably rapid and shallow, to an almost total constriction of breathing where breathing normally becomes impossible. Because these breathing difficulties are such a common part of panic attacks virtually all methods of dealing with panic attacks, or at least those that don’t resort to pharmaceutical drugs, have as part of their respective methods, controlled breathing techniques of one kind or another.

The most useful breathing technique that can be used in a panic attack situation is abdominal breathing. Most people in times of stress, and this would be particularly so in the case of someone experiencing severe anxiety or a panic attack, start to breathe in a very shallow fashion and high in the chest. It is almost as if they are rapidly panting and unable to catch their breath. This is exactly what happens when the body goes into a fight or flight response.

This breathing response is only part of the problem. The real problem is that the person having the panic attack begins to focus on their breathing difficulties which leads to an increase in the anxiety and panic which causes even greater breathing restrictions and difficulties

When our breathing is disturbed in this way our nervous system provides feedback letting us know that we need to address this breathing issue. If we consciously become aware of the breathing problem and our nervous system is screaming at us to fix it and we are unable to fix it, the panic attack response gets stronger and stronger.

The person is now in the grips the vicious cycle of the panic attack

Through regular use of deep abdominal breathing the anxiety attack sufferer can begin to develop a powerful tool to help them cope with their anxiety attack. But this is something that needs to be practised regularly if it is to be used during the extreme anxiety and stress of a full-blown panic attack.

If you think of this as training for a sporting event. With regular practice sessions when game time arrives many of the skills you need will be almost automatic and there for you when you need them.

By practising regular deep abdominal breathing at non-stressful times it allows the body the chance to get used to the technique itself as it becomes conditioned to breathe differently. Once a certain familiarity has been gained with the technique it is very useful to begin using it during periods of moderate stress and anxiety.

As you can see we are taking the breathing technique we have learned in a neutral environment and slowly increasing our ability to use it in the field. In a very short time with regular practice you’ll have access to this breathing technique and be able to use it to help you handle your panic attacks.

While breathing in this way can help immeasurably during an actual panic attack, an even greater benefit is how the body becomes less prone to anxiety and stress generally, due to regular deep abdominal breathing, making the occurrence of future panic attacks less likely.

This way of breathing is very natural and easy. Like any form of exercise please make sure to start slowly and gradually allowing yourself enough time to get familiar with the technique before increasing the length of time of your abdominal breathing sessions.

Also keep in mind that this form of breathing is normal and natural. In other words this is how we are supposed to breathe. If you want proof look at how very young children breathe and notice that they belly breathe more often than not rather than breathing with their chests.

So rather than think of this as learning something new we are simply re-familiarizing ourselves with something we already know how to do.

Tags: Self Improvement by Serge Taylor
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