Every time I start one of my ‘Future You Today’ sessions, I begin with Colour Breathing. This is a very simple but effective technique which can be used whenever you want to change the way you are feeling. I use this to start my sessions so that we are all feeling positive and motivated.
Colour breathing can help to reduce stress and encourage relaxation, but how do you do it? Well, here is a step-by-step guide:
Start by finding a position you feel comfortable and relaxed in. You could be laid down or sat up, whatever works for you. Just let your hands rest wherever they’re comfortable.
Close your eyes and bring your attention to your breathing. Spend a couple of minutes just focusing on this. Breathe in on a count of 4, pause for a moment, and breathe out to a count of 4. At this point, pick a colour you would like to focus on and let this colour fill your mind.
Breathe in….2…3…4….Hold 1…Out…2…3….4……
Anytime that any other thoughts, images, sounds or sensations come to mind, allow yourself to notice them, but then gently bring your attention back to your breathing, and your colour.
Try to focus your breathing lower down in your stomach, as though you have a balloon in there. Notice how the balloon inflates as you breathe in and deflates as you breathe out Notice the sensations in your abdomen as your belly rises as the balloon inflates and falls as the balloon deflates when you breathe out.
Now visualise your colour, it could be in the form of light, or mist covering you. If it’s difficult to visualise that colour, it can help to imagine something that is that colour, for example green grass or a blue sea, an orange sunset or a pink dawn. See it in front of you, over you, all around, surrounding you.
As you slowly breathe, imagine breathing in your colour, into your nose, throat, chest and abdomen. Imagine that colour spreading out into every part of your body and notice the effects that it has.
Notice how the colour is affecting your body, and your mind, as you allow it to flow through your body and mind.
If your attention wanders gently bring your focus back to your colour.
Whenever you’re ready, start to bring your attention back to the here and now, where you are. Open your eyes and look around, noticing what you see and what you hear.
Learning to use colour breathing can help improve your life, whatever your problems may be. Practice the technique whenever necessary and you will begin to see the benefits almost immediately.