Want to find your inner strength, but also calm your nerves? You might like to try this exercise
To be brave is to show mental or moral strength in the face of danger, fear, or difficulty. It feels safe and easy to stay within your comfort zone, however personal growth comes from going beyond it from time to time. Stepping outside its boundaries allows you to take on new challenges, boost your skills, and expand the size of your comfort zone. So how can you harness this strength when feeling anxious? There are many different methods available, but here we outline one breathing exercise that uses the power of self-love to overcome fear.
- Start the exercise in a comfortable seated position of your choice. Hold your posture tall and upright, head facing forward, chest open, shoulders back.
- Then place your hands in the Ganesh mudra position. Mudra is a Sanskrit word meaning seal, gesture, or mark, and they’re said to enhance the flow of energy physically, consciously, and subconsciously. To form this mudra, bring your left hand in front of your heart, turned sideways with your palm facing away from you and your thumb pointing downwards, fingers bent. Then bring your right palm towards you and hook the fingers of your right hand with those of your left, with both elbows pointing out towards the sides.
- Along with the Ganesh mudra, the words ‘I am’ will be used. These two words are often used to affirm positive qualities. Here, the affirmation is: ‘I am brave.’
- Begin with your hands in Ganesh mudra. Take a deep breath. Breathing in for a count of three, say in your mind for each count:
- I
- AM
- BRAVE
- Hold for two counts. Exhale slowly for a count of six repeating ‘I am brave’ twice along to your six counts.
- With the exhale breath, pull the elbows away from one another, keeping the fingers locked together. You will be able to feel the muscles in your arms, chest, and heart activate, as well as an increased flow of heart energy.
- Relax and repeat for eight rounds.
- After you’re done, sit for a moment and observe any sensations. Imagine how great you will feel after accomplishing the activity for which you require some extra bravery.
