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The Power of Breathing Exercises: A Guide to Relaxation and Mindfulness

What exactly are breathing exercises?

Breathing exercises, also known as breathwork, are intentional techniques that help you control your breath to induce a sense of relaxation and calm in both your mind and body. You’ve likely encountered breathwork in yoga classes, guided meditations, or wellness apps like Headspace. These techniques aren’t limited to wellness activities; they can be practiced whenever you need to manage stress effectively.

When you’re anxious, you may notice that your breathing becomes shallow and rapid, often through the mouth and into the upper lungs. This type of breathing restricts airflow and can exacerbate feelings of tension or discomfort. Deep breathing and breathwork can help counteract these effects by promoting relaxation. Research suggests that intentional deep breathing can improve focus and attention, allowing you to respond more skillfully to stressful situations.

How do you practice deep breathing exercises?

You can incorporate them into your daily routine or use them as needed during moments of stress. There are various breathing exercises to choose from, so find the ones that work best for you. Here are a few examples:

  1. Beginner’s Breathing: Count your breaths, inhaling through the nose to the count of 1, exhaling through the mouth to the count of 2, and so on.

  2. Lengthen Exhales: Slow down your heart rate and thoughts by making your exhales twice as long as your inhales. Inhale to the count of 3, exhale to the count of 6 (adjust counts to your comfort).

  3. Belly Breathing: Breathe slowly through the nose, allowing your belly to rise on inhale and fall on exhale. Place a hand on your stomach for better awareness.

  4. Box Breathing: Inhale, hold, exhale, and hold your breath for equal counts, creating a square pattern. For example, inhale to the count of 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, and hold for 4 before inhaling again.

  5. Alternate Nostril Breathing: A yogic technique that balances the brain’s hemispheres. Inhale through the left nostril, close it, exhale through the right nostril, then inhale through the right nostril, close it, and exhale through the left nostril.

Once you’ve completed your deep-breathing exercises, return to your natural breathing pattern. Take a moment to notice how your body and mind feel after this self-care practice.

Breathing exercises are versatile tools that you can use to regain control in stressful situations, enhance mindfulness, and promote relaxation. Experiment with different techniques to discover what works best for you, and incorporate them into your daily routine for improved well-being.

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🚨 Don’t assume they’re water-safe, make sure they are 🚨

When it comes to staying safe in and around water, teenagers are one of the most at risk groups due to a lack of swimming ability. 

Join our Can Swim Program this August & September. 

The fully subsidised swim program for pre-teens and teens is the perfect opportunity for young people to build confidence in the water and develop essential life-saving skills. 

- Pre Teens Life Program – Tuesdays or Thursdays 12 Aug to 11 Sep from 6:45pm – 7:30pm at PARC 
- Teens Life Program – Tuesdays or Thursdays 12 Aug to 11 Sep from 6:45pm – 7:30pm at PARC 
 
Expressions of Interest are now open 

To learn more or to submit your EOI please visit our website via the link in bio

#PARCFrankston #CanSwim #Preteenlifeprogram #Teenlifeprogram
Keep cup challenge! ☕️ 🙌

Round 2 Nathan vs Kynen, Let's Go!

Can Nathan or Kynen beat Maya's time of 26 seconds or will they get mixed up!

Grab your Fressko Keep cup at PARC Cafe today. 

#PARCFrankston #Keepcup
PARC Fam, have you checked out PARC PLUS? 📱

PARC Plus is our online fitness portal that allows our community to work out when, where and how you like. Enjoy 1000+ workouts , including:

🏋️‍♂️ Strength & Conditioning workouts
💪 No equipment options
🏃‍♀️ Fun classes to get you moving like Zumba, BodyPump and Boxing
🧘‍♀️ Even a wide variety of low impact classes like yoga and Active Movers
😌 Or find your pace with a meditation class

Not a member? That's ok! Enjoy our PARC PLUS community access with loads of workouts led by our much loved instructors. It's available to anyone who wants to be active. 

You can access PARC Plus through the TechnoGym app or via the website.

Check it out here: https://parc.peninsulaleisure.com.au/parc-plus/

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Missing lap swimming? We've got you covered! 🏊‍♀️ 

Thank you for your patience as we complete important works on the Main 50m Pool. While the lanes get a much needed makeover, there’s still other things do to keep you moving at PARC:

🧘🏻‍♂️ Join a low impact class - from yoga to our cycle studio, try one of our many group exercise classes to shake up your routine.
🧖‍♀️ Relax and recover in the spa - our Warm Water Pool Hall is still open to soak your stress away.
📱 Try our PARC Plus community access with hundreds of workouts for all fitness level. The videos are led by our much loved PARC Group Exercise Instructors - See the link in bio

We're here to support you remain active and thank you for your continued patience.

#PARCFrankston #WellnessYourWay #StayActive
Three weeks later and we're still celebrating!! 🎉

We're still so excited to have won Facility of the Year Award for both PARC and PINES at the ARV Awards last month. 

A huge thank you to our amazing PARC Fam and our PINES passionates for your support has helped make our facilities truly special. We can't stop dancing! 💃🕺

#PARCFrankston #PINESFrankston #ARVAwards
Meet the PARC Reformer superstars

It's cold outside, but the PARC Reformer instructors you know and love are here to help you keep warm and keep moving. Our passionate PARC Reformer team is committed to supporting your health and wellbeing journey by bringing you support, expertise and the good vibes to every session. 

We’re here to guide you, challenge you, and cheer you on as you build strength and confidence on the new beds, in the new studio - all included in our Full Access memberships! 

A friendly reminder that you need to attend 2 instructor led classes prior to booking in to our Virtual and On-demand options. 

Check out the timetable and class options via the link in bio

#PARCFrankston #PARCReformer #superstars
Congratulations to the Winners of the My Movement Challenge 🏆

We've loved seeing everyone around the Centre getting involved and keeping up consistency over the last month. We're so inspired by our PARC fam and their dedication to keep moving and complete the Challenge. 

Well done to everyone who joined in on the My Movement Challenge. 

#PARCFrankston #MyMovementChallenge #Forthewin #PARCBeanie

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