How do we control the mind? How do we gain control of our thoughts? The answer is simple, we control the breath. For thousands of years the Yogis of the East have known that control of the mind begins with something much easier to control, the speed and rhythm of our breathing. In yoga this practice is called Pranayama, which means life force control. There are many different variations of Pranayama some so powerful, that according to tradition, are passed from master to student only after a solemn initiation and vow of secrecy. The only ones we need to concern ourselves with for the purpose of gaining control of our minds are the simple triangular breathing and the more advanced squared breathing.
If you are new to breath control please don’t try it while you are driving or operating machinery or even standing up for that matter as there is the possibility that you may get light headed. If you have high blood pressure or heart problems or are prone to fainting spells then consult with your doctor first and start of slowly by all means.
Triangular Breathing
The name triangular comes from the fact that there are three equal counts to the pattern, just like the three equal sides of a equilateral triangle. Triangular breathing is a simple breathing exercise where we inhale to a count of seven, then hold our breath for a count of seven, and then exhale to a count of seven. The inhalation, hold, and exhalation is counted as one round or set. When breathing in this manner you should be breathing from your diaphragm which is also known as belly breathing. To know that you are doing this correctly put your hand on your belly as you inhale your abdomen should move out as you inhale and you should feel your lower rib cage expand. If you feel the breath high in your chest then you are no breathing from your diaphragm.
You should complete 7 rounds 3 or more times a day, at least once in the morning, once in the afternoon and once in the early evening. One of the most effective times of the day to practice this technique is before you go inside your home at the end of the day. Whenever we diet, especially in the early stages it’s easy to be irritable. And while we are able to be civil in our professional relationships at work and at the office for some reason when we get around those whom we love we just let loose in a bad way. This simple exercise will calm the heart, the mind, and the emotions and more importantly it will be of incredible help to combat any sort of craving.
Complete at least seven rounds to combat a minor craving and complete 10 or more rounds to combat a major craving. As you gain more experience with this exercise you can either slow the count down or add to it. In the beginning of course, if seven is to long a count then make it shorter and if at any time you don’t feel well or even if you feel lightheaded then stop and breathe normally for a while but try and come back to it only use a shorter count and build from there.