Article 3 DEEP RELAXATION

Serious lung disease can bring on panic attacks and unnecessary anxiety. Today, let�s attempt to create a softness in the self and let go of the stress and anxiety through the practice of deep relaxation. Our key words are: I am in control - I am in charge.

Even though our bodies have failed us, we are still in control of our minds. We can either choose to be in total chaos or choose to create some peace in our lives. It is always our choice. We can either choose to let our minds take over, or we can choose to be in control of our minds. It�s all up to us.

Let�s begin. Finding a comfortable position lying on the floor or on a reclined chair or couch (some of us cannot lie flat because of the severity of the disease), but it is preferable to lie on the floor. Remove all distractions such as phone, children or pets.

With eyes closed, allow your body to relax by giving gentle suggestion to the toes, ankles and feet to relax. Gently ask the calves, knees and thighs to soften. Pause after each suggestion and wait until the body responds before proceeding. Allow the hips, lower back and abdominal area to soften and relax. Pause. Give gentle suggestion to all the large muscles in the chest to release and feel this softness move into the shoulders, down the arms into the hands and fingers. Pause and create this softness. Allow your head to roll very gently back and forth and feel the relaxation moving into all the muscles in the neck. Release the jaw by separating the teeth and lips slightly, let the tongue fall to the bottom of the mouth and open the throat. Again, take time to let all this happen. Remove the expression from your face, feel all the lines disappear and observe a peaceful face. Allow this relaxation to move through the head and scalp and feel it moving down the spinal column.

Allow your body to remain quiet, no movement and attempt to deepen this relaxation by asking the body to soften even more than it is. Notice how it responds to your gentle suggestion.

Now begin to visualize yourself in a safe, peaceful place. Perhaps on a perfectly warm day at the beach. You choose the place that is peaceful for you. Let your mind go there and find all the beauty in that place. Breathe in the sweetness of the air - soothing you. Don�t change it, but notice how you�re breathing now. Soft, belly breathing - it�s so natural once you teach the body to soften, it responds. Just watch this breath - it flows in and out and as it does, visualize the peace that you�re bringing into your body and self through the inhalation and visualize how all that stress, negativity, darkness and anger leaves the body and self. Continue to breathe in softness, trust, oneness, perfection, truth and find that quiet place within yourself. It�s like �going home� now that you�re in charge - you�re in control.

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