It's a collective feeling.
Right now we all are feeling increasingly anxious, the air feels thick, we can all sense things are about to crash once again.
We all have already been hit hard, we were just starting to get ourselves together...
We all lost so much already. We are tired.
It's hard to be hopeful. It's hard to have some moments of calm.
The heart pounds.
There is nothing we can do to stop the world from turning, all we can do is accept what is going on and try to make the most out of it.
It isn't what we wanted, but we are still here.
Can we try and stop our minds from jumping back and forth from the depression and rumination that gets us stuck in the past and the anxiety of imagining thousand posible futures?
I am giving a try to some ancient wisdom to try to regulate my nervous system.
I share it hoping it helps someone get at least a moment of calm, at least some temporary sensation of balance.
I lie down and close my eyes, with my eyes closed I "look" up to my forehead.
I bring awareness to my breath.
First just checking is my breath is fast and shallow or deep and slow.
Then I bring the right hand to my heart and adjust my breath, taking deep inhales and slow and full exhales.
I start timing the duration of my inhalations and exhalations.
Inhale in 4 seconds, exhale in 6 seconds.
Inhale in 6 seconds, exhale in 8 seconds.
Inhale in 8 seconds, exhale in 10 seconds.
Once I got into a breathing rhythm that feels good, I keep counting, so no mental chatter can install itself in my head.
I extend my arms next to my body and get my hands into Apana Vayu mudra.
This mudra is done bringing the middle and ring fingers together. The tip of the thumb touches the tips of the middle and ring finger. The tip of the index finger presses the base of the thumb and the pinky finger is extended.
In the yogic and ayurvedic tradition, mudras are hand gestures that help us regulate energy flows.
The Apana Vayu mudra is believed to help regulate our heart function and even prevent heart attacks.
With the eyes closed, gazing the forehead, and the mudra in my hands, I continue breathing and counting.
If a thought comes, I accept it, and let it go. I go back to counting.
I am managing to do it for about 10 minutes
We can't change what's going on, but we can try to be present in the present.
Try to have at least some moments of peace.
We are alive, this is the reality we have to face, let's face it together, one breath at the time.
If you know other anxiety control techniques, mudras, or anything that works for you, please share it.
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Credits
Apana Vayu mudra video and pictures by Veronica Alonso
