Parents often sense that their child needs to breathe more fully to relieve panic or pain. The same is true for adults. Conscious breathing practices are now routinely taught in childbirth preparation classes. Anxiety intensifies pain, and the normal reaction is to tighten up when breathing. Breathing consciously not only will relieve tension and help quiet any fear, it can also relieve pain. So before you reach for the aspirins, the antacid tablets, or the telephone to call your doctor, do some breathing.

Here is a simple healing exercise:

1. Scan your body mentally, noticing how different areas are feeling.
2. As you inhale, imagine that you are breathing increased life into areas that feel tired, painful, tight, or “starved” in some way.
3. As you exhale, imagine that the tiredness, pain, and tightness are leaving with the expelled air.
4. Repeat for two or three minutes. Enjoy.

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