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OPEN MIND OPEN BODY Take A Deep Breath |
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Relax Your Face, Jaw, and Throat: Releasing Tension in the Breath
For a few seconds, consciously clench your teeth - and notice how it influences your breath.
Tension in the face and jaw creates tension in the throat, which can narrow the airway, making it more difficult to breathe deeply and easily. It is difficult to consciously relax the throat, but you can release tension in the face and jaw through a simple self-massage.
Start at the forehead. Place your fingertips lightly on the forehead, and slide the skin of the forehead toward the scalp. Use a very light pressure, and slide the fingertips up and down.
Then, move to the temples, and massage in small circles along the temples to the jaw. Separate the lips and teeth. relaxing the jaw.
Bring your fingertips to the cheekbones, and slide the cheeks up and down (it will feel a little like you are smiling - without using your face muscles). Relax the lips as you do so.
Bring your fingertips behind the ears, and massage in small circles down the sides of the neck. Repeat this closer to the midline of the neck, from the back of the head.
Finish with a massage of the upper shoulders.
Keep the face and jaw relaxed, as you notice the breath. You can use this massage to begin any breathing or meditation practice, or whenever you notice yourself holding your breath or clenching your jaw.
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