April 2, 2007
Using Breathing Techniques For Nonverbal Communication
Using words to communicate feelings is something most women do better than most men. Women are trained to talk about feelings, to understand the language of emotion and relatedness. Men are not. Women want men to meet them on their turf of talking about feelings. But many men can't because they've never learned how. Yes, men must learn, and many are, but why should all the learning be on men's shoulders? Can't women try to understand, appreciate, and converse in the communication modes men use at the same time men are learning how to express and verbalize their feelings? Well for this you both may want to try nonverbal communication. Here's how:
Breathing together: Sit back to back, skin to skin if possible. Close your eyes and Relax. Focus on your partner's breath. Begin to breathe with her or him. Establish a pattern together of a slow inhalation, followed by several seconds of holding your breath, then a slow exhalation, and finally a moment's pause before beginning again. Visualize your breath coming in through your nose, going down into your lungs as you inhale, then out through your back and into your partner's lungs as you inhale, then back into your lungs and completing the circle as you exhale. When your mind tries to distract you, simply focus back on the circle of life you are creating together.
