HEART-SMART WORKOUT - Energize Your Heart

Body+Soul

Take a few minutes to synchronize your breath with your beat to reduce stress instantly. Susanna Bair, cofounder of the Institute for Applied Meditation in Tucson, Arizona, and coauthor of "Energize Your Heart," designed this meditation to invigorate the heart with conscious breathing and loving intention. "I've worked with people who have lowered their own blood pressure just by doing this exercise," Bair says.

How to Do It

Adopt A Noble StanceSit upright, chest forward, shoulders back, spine straight, and head level.

Hone Your FocusClose your eyes and become aware of your breath flowing in and out. You can put your hands on your heart or rest them by your sides.

Listen For Your HeartbeatDraw in a deep breath and hold it for a moment. Become aware of your heart pulsing inside you (this may take some practice); then exhale. If you can't hear your heartbeat, feel for your pulse in your chest or on the inside of your wrist.

Synchronize Your BreathAllow your breath to fall in sync with your heart. Try inhaling for eight heartbeats and then exhaling for eight. Continue this for five to 10 minutes.

RepeatTry this meditation once in the morning to energize you and again in the evening to clear tension and create a renewed calm.

Source: http://www.wholeliving.com