Keep Calm with Simple Five-count Finger Breathing

My number one rule in class, and the easiest to follow, is that breathing is not optional. I don’t mean that you have to follow any specific breathing techniques offered, I just mean that you need to breathe to avoid keeling over. 
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In moments of anxiety this vital function often gets interrupted and we shallow breathe or hold our breath, which can exacerbate the situation. 

A good friend recently had an eye operation.  When he mentioned he would be fully awake during the procedure he had a nervous look, and seemed to catch his breath.  So I spoke about this simple breathing technique I used to help get over my fear of needles. 

Using your fingers and thumb as a focus helps to redirect attention from other things, like having blood taken, a CT scan, dental work, or needles and scalpels coming towards your eye.  

Basic Rules for Five-Count Finger Breathing:

1. Breathe in for five counts, with a focus on your thumb, then fingers in turn.
   
2. Breathe out for five counts, with a focus on your little finger, then other fingers and thumb.
3. Repeat.

 

In most cases you can add a physical movement of each digit as you count. Remember to use the hand away from any action, so as not to disturb proceedings. For example, if you are having a cannula put into your right arm, use your left hand for the finger breathing.  When you need to keep still, for something like a CT scan, you can look at each digit in turn or just mentally work your way up and down them. 

As with many yoga exercises, it helps to practice before you need it. So how about taking half a minute to try it out now?   Take a breath in for five counts, then breathe out for five counts, breathe in for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and breathe out for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, in 1,2,3,4,5, out 1,2,3,4,5, in 1,2,3,4,5, out 1,2,3,4,5. 
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