Effective breathing will be your most powerful tool when you are giving birth, but it is a learned skill. It might seem strange that you need to learn specific breathing techniques when breathing is such a natural, every day thing that we do without thinking, but there is no other time when you will experience such intense physical and deep emotional changes than when you are giving birth. So you definitely want to be aware of your breath and have some well practiced techniques that you can turn to when you feel like you are losing control.
The 5 breathing exercises included in this app will help you to take notice of how you breathe naturally and how to learn powerful techniques that will be your biggest lifeline during labor and birth.
Each of these breathing techniques is important in its own way and should be practiced with awareness during pregnancy. They all work together, and although I encourage you to go through them individually and become comfortable with each one before moving on, you will soon move through them all seamlessly together. The more you practice them the more natural and instinctive they will become, and the easier it will be to use them effectively when you most need them.
What you are working towards is a deep awareness of the power of your breath to guide and transform your experience. You know that labor and birth will be a physically challenging event. By practising these techniques daily in different situation and with expanded awareness, you will instinctively move into these breathing patterns when you need them, with gentle guidance from your partner.
I encourage you to start by setting the timer to just 2 minutes and breathing along with the app. Notice how your mind wanders off - even during the 2 minutes. Practice bringing your mind BACK to the awareness of your breathing, your body and your baby.
It will take practice, but WATCHING the animation and LISTENING to the sound will help to keep you FOCUSED. Set an intention to do it every day with mindful attention. You can also practice yoga, using the same pace of breathing and timing your movements to your breath.
Enjoy this practice and please visit my online platform packed with even more juicy information. Powerful in its simplicity, this multimedia program and thriving online community includes video, audio downloads, eBooks, cheat sheets and TO DO lists that will make your pregnancy journey safe and enjoyable. Join our family www.thevirtualmidwife.com and be inspired and informed.