To induce physical and mental stability,
one must practise Pranayama.
If this doesn't interest you, scroll down to get to the bit about skateboards!
What are you doing right now? Do you have 5 minutes spare?
Want to use that 5 minutes to feel better?
Chances are you're already seated, so straighten your back and take a deep breath. Laying down also works, even in bed. And if you fall asleep? Well, we could all do with a nap now and then.
Simply being aware of your breath is sufficient to slow down your respiratory rate and establish a more relaxed rhythm, providing a plethora of proven benefits.
Set a timer for 5 minutes.
Your only job for these 5 minutes is to observe your natural breathing process.
Do not control the breath in any way - instead, feel the breath flowing in and out of the nostrils.
Notice that it's colder on the way in, and warmer on the way out.
Can you feel it in the back of your throat, too?
Your chest will be moving, feel the expansion and relaxation of the ribcage.
Your abdomen will likely be moving too - upwards and outwards with inhalation, down and inwards with exhalation as your lungs empty themselves.
Observe the whole process from nostrils to abdomen and back, until your timer chimes you back to reality.
And just like that your heartrate is lowered, your focus heightened, and the next task on your list - be it on a spreadsheet or a skateboard - is about to be tackled with fervour.
Jeff at Pantheon clearly understands this, Pranayama being the name of one of his most popular and functional boards.
We've had the decks in for a while, but after they sponsored the Bristol Board Meeting with a complete this year we really got the lowdown on how to build one - properly. Pantheon-style.
This ain't cobbled together - this is the real deal and is probably the lowest, most efficient distance pushing longboard available anywhere.
Highlights:
- Put together with soft 1/4" drop-up risers to further decrease ride height
- Pantheon Stylus trucks - light, narrow TKPs with tall bushings that are perfectly streamlined on these boards, and...
- Your choice of wheels:
- 92mm Karmas - for a little more agility about town
- 102mm Hokus - for pure efficiency over distance
- Naturally, drop-through washers protect the deck longer term
We're calling it. The final element of Pranayama - to truly activate your life force, go beyond your regular boundaries and attain a higher state of energy and awareness - is the Pranayama itself.
When you put it like that, its a bargain.
Namaskār,
Matt @ Vandem
