I've actually stumbled upon my most important realizations. After years of performing and teaching, a great opportunity crossed my path. I was brought in by a communication consultancy to observe the coaching of the senior executives at People Magazine in New York. The task was to help these leaders to be more effective and authentic communicators. I watched the first and then the second client practice their speech, when lo and behold a light went off for me. They're not breathing I said quietly to my colleague. They're simply NOT BREATHING! I suggested that I work with each individually for 20 minutes and taught them the mechanics of breathing along with a breathing meditation to calm the adrenaline. Then I got them up to do a simple yoga sun salutation (business suits and all) to get their blood flowing and awaken their sensory neurons further. When they each practiced their speech a second time, the difference was palpable. Even after just that. There was an easy, natural delivery with a completely organic rhythm coming from the rise and the fall of the breath. Eureka, I was on to something!!!
It was Descartes who really set us off course. "I think therefore I am" became the mantra for Western Civilization touting the supremacy of the mind over the body since the 17th century! We lost sight of the fact that all we know and perceive comes in through the senses (body). From this, thoughts arise and then loop back to the body in response. Unfortunately, the bicycle chain of information-sharing in the bodymind centers largely around our habitual response to fear and anxiety-- our senses read our environment as threatening and the body responds in turn with shallow chest breathing along with the release of stress hormones and chemicals (the Sympathetic Nervous System SNS) that have a toxic effect on our bodies. It's a vicious cycle that repeats day after day.
If our bodies are not well, the mind will not be well either. Nor can we perform at our highest level. So interrupting the fight-flight response in the body is critical. When we allow the body to respond as if it were in danger, we shut down our sensory neurons, reduce blood flow to the brain and hunker down for the attack. As a result, we are not present in our environment with all of our senses taking in accurate information, and we're not thinking clearly either. Not a state in which we can be our most capable selves. Just as I found out in my eureka moment with business leaders at People Magazine, authenticity, ease...and health comes from redirecting the loop to a spacious calm that opens to flow. And this happens best through the breath.
So why not start the next business meeting with a 5 minute breathing meditation? Nothing to lose other than a chance to be a leader in promoting the best in your team. Guide the group to:
1. Sit upright in your chairs, away from the back, effortlessly balanced with no muscular tension. Gently close your eyes. Feet flat on the floor, hands on the thighs, alert but relaxed.
2. Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth releasing tension in the body with each breath. Breathe into the belly (diaphragm) trying to quiet the chest and shoulders.
3. Increase the duration/depth of each breath allowing the exhale to become twice as long as the inhale.
4. Breathe in energy and vitality, exhale tension and negativity.
5. As the mind wanders just notice the thoughts and gently come back to the mechanics of the breath with the exhale still longer than the inhale and at the end of each exhale, linger in the stillness, emptiness as if basking in sunshine and allow the back of the tongue to release completely. Allow the next inhale to come of necessity and repeat the cycle.
6. In the beginning, its beneficial to interject occasional prompts like, "breathe into the belly," "inhale energy and clarity", "exhale stress, negativity", "exhale twice as long as the inhale", "stay in the quiet space between the breaths".
7. Depending on the schedule, continue this for 5-10 minutes.
8. As the time nears the end, suggest that they gently wiggle fingers and toes and come back into being present in the room as they slowly open their eyes.
Creating opportunities for minding your body as a business leader, will impact employee health and productivity. You may be surprised at the results. After all, the people in any organization are your greatest asset as you Mind Your Business.
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