Master of Nerves

How many of you have experienced stammer or nervousness before crucial times such as an interview or really important meeting? I presume many of us have experienced this in some stage of our lives. So the question is can we master our nerves? Can we overcome nervousness in controlled way?

Yes it can be done. What you need is pair of lungs, a quiet place and a few minutes. Breathing experts and psychologists believe that controlled breathing not only keep mind and body function well but can also reduce blood pressure and nervousness. There are many ways to control breaths and to master your nerves. I would share only three that I really liked and practiced.

I allotted myself my room for these breathing exercises. I wanted to perform this soft stunt by the river side or into mountains with a pleasant chirping of birds entertaining my mind but practically it was not possible. Because I live in Lahore, a densely populated town where such landscapes don’t exist. So I have to go with my room. Before performing I was thinking how could I be able to relax my nerves in a small room? My fantasized imagination was making me believe so. But I was astonished at the working potential of the exercises I performed. I would highly suggest these to everyone.

1-Sama Vittri or Equal Breathing

Balance can do a body good, beginning with the breath inhale count of four, then exhale for a count of four — all through the nose, which adds a natural resistance to the breath. Repeat it for 5–10 minutes. Best time to perform is before going to bed.

2-Kapalabhati or Skull Shining Breath

Ready to brighten up your day from the inside out? This one begins with a long, slow inhale, followed by a quick, powerful exhale generated from the lower belly. Once comfortable with the contraction, up the pace to one inhale-exhale (all through the nose) every one to two seconds, for a total of 10 breaths. Best time to perform is when you need to focus or concentrate.

3- Nandi Shodhana or Alternate Nostril Breathing

Starting in a comfortable meditative pose, hold the right thumb over the right nostril and inhale deeply through the left nostril. At the peak of inhalation, close off the left nostril with the ring finger, then exhale through the right nostril. Continue the pattern, inhaling through the right nostril, closing it off with the right thumb and exhaling through the left nostril.

I would suggest you to perform these exercises or controlled breaths at one time in the sequence as given above with allotted time of five minutes each. Hence in just fifteen minutes you will feel stress free and relax. It really works.