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Breathing techniques will help reduce stress during fasting hours

Abu Dhabi - According to the yoga instructor, taking a few deep breaths is effective when one gets bogged down by stress.

 
Remaining calm yet active at work and be able to deliver deadlines on an empty stomach is one of the biggest challenges for fasting Muslims.
"A few breathing and stretching exercises can help keep the nerves calm and cool," said Gokul Ram, a yoga instructor based in Dubai.
"Breathing exercises are the easiest and effective technique in yoga to reduce stress level," said Ram, who was a disciple of Bharat Thakur, a popular proponent of artistic yoga.
"If you start your day with a few simple set of breathing exercises, it will help you manage stress at work more effectively. Mind and body are interlinked and hence keeping your mind calm is quintessential in managing stress."
Ram suggests that fasting Muslims can start with three to five minutes of Kriyas (set of breathing technique) like Kabalbhati or Bhastrika, which helps cleanse the body and mind.
"Kriya creates more space in the lungs by throwing out impurities and prepares the lungs for Pranayama, which is an exercise for the breath. 'Pran' means breath and 'ayam' means exercise. Pranayama will instantly increase the supply of oxygen in your system and brain will function better. While at work, your thought process will have better clarity." 
The third technique Ram suggests is 'Bandha' that helps in hormonal balance in the endocrine system. "If you do a combination of these for 15 to 20 minutes daily at the start of the day, you will see the difference in energy levels."
According to the yoga instructor, taking a few deep breaths is effective when one gets bogged down by stress.
"A few deep inhaling and exhaling using the alternative nose breathing technique is a quick fix when stress hits you at work. Usually, when there is not enough oxygen in your body, it cannot function properly. When you are under stress, you can immediately notice that your breathing pattern gets affected. So, close your eyes and try to focus on breathing. By taking control of your breathing, you are in effect taking control of your mind, and keeping it calm and happy," explained Ram.
According to him, the office space can also be utilised effectively to do simple stretching exercises. "Stretching will help increase the blood flow and will immediately reduce the weariness. One can sit at their desk and stretch their shoulders, neck, back or their wrist and arms."
And when it comes to doing a regular yoga routine, Ram is of the opinion that doing strenuous exercise routine will not go well with most fasting people. "They should keep it to simple stretching and breathing exercises. And when combined with healthy eating habits, people can effectively manage the work-fasting balance."
anjana@khaleejtimes.com