In this podcast, Shirley, a leading mindfulness health educator, explains why developing awareness of breathing is an essential tool for enhancing the mind body connection and for creating inner peace and calm.

She gives an introduction to conscious breathing by leading a breathing exercise for beginners to provide you with a direct experience of how simply focusing on the breath lowers your breathing rate and creates calm.

Drawing attention to your individual breathing pattern is not only relaxing, but also improves your ability to be present and more mindful in general. Many people wonder why measuring your breathing rate or doing conscious breathing creates calm. Here, you learn that the breath is a physical activity is the gateway to the autonomic nervous system (part of nervous system that functions without our conscious control). Cultivating breath awareness is your first step toward consciously tapping into otherwise unconscious physical activities and leads to developing patience, concentration and the ability to quiet your mind. It's also the first step toward beginning a meditation practice.

Meditation and visualization are among the tools that Shirley teaches you how to use to reduce stress, feel happier, boost energy and improve overall feelings of well-being.

Shirley is a health educator who worked at Stanford University School of Medicine for 15 years.

For your free e-guide with more tips on why taking quick 5 minute breaks is good for your health and happiness, click here:bit.ly/2vAvtMS

Shirley posts new podcast each week featuring a mindful moment - how to master stress and create calm focus for abundant health. Please leave comments or requests for tips to help you with your biggest challenges to reach your wellness and happiness goals.

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Shirley Archer is a mindfulness and lifestyle coach, a best-selling author of health and fitness books, and an award-winning trainer who helps busy, hard-working people who want to balance career, relationships and self-care, but who can't seem to find the time or the right guidance.