Posted by: urbanbreathnyc | September 1, 2010

How does breathing inform you about stress? by Monica Aparicio

How does breathing inform you about stress?

by Monica Aparicio

We have become so accustomed to living in a fast paced, high stress world it’s easy to fall into stressful situations without noticing.

One of the simplest ways to check your levels of stress is to pay attention to the rhythm of your breath. Try this simple exercise:

Take a seat, close your eyes and rest your hands on your lap. Bring your focus to your breathing. Determine the frequency and lengths of your inhales and exhales. Is your inhale equal to your exhale? Are you having difficulty inhaling or exhaling fully? Short and shallow breathing is usually an indicator that the body is under stress.
 When you are relaxed breathing is full, deep and natural.

By taking time to notice the pace of your breathing you begin to increase your own awareness of not only stress levels but of your overall state of well being.

We invite you to learn how Biodynamic breath can help you reduce stress and access a space of healing and meditation. This September join us for a breath meditation and yoga retreat focused on the theme of personal transformation!

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Posted by: urbanbreathnyc | August 4, 2010

Intuition and Meditation by Monica Aparicio

Intuition and Meditation by Monica Aparicio

Wisdom is all around us,  if only we were a bit more receptive. It is very challenging to stop the mind from thinking, let alone quiet it long enough to pay attention to all the subtle messages the universe is always showing us. We replay things people said to us,  analyze why they said it , compose “to do” lists while we are  busy doing other things and basically engage in constant mind chatter.  We create internal distractions as if the external stimuli we are subject to on a daily basis isn’t enough.

Its no wonder that most of us can often feel unfocused, confused,  stressed and unsure of ourselves.  If our minds are elsewhere how can we be fully present to what is happening in our lives; how can we feel confident of our decisions or even feel completely comfortable in our skin? The goal is to raise your awareness to what is actually occurring at any given moment. By lowering the volume on our thoughts we heighten our focus on the NOW; that is called meditation. One of the reasons why yoga has become so popular in the western world is it’s ability to quiet the mind. Through the practice of poses the mind can move from external and internal distraction to what is actually happening in the body: the focus of breath, the alignment of joints and the specificity of muscles used. In a similar fashion, biodynamic breath harnesses the energy of your whole body by engaging your body first, with the principal that the mind will follow. Unlike traditional still meditation, Biodynamic Breath meditation allows you to gradually decrease mental noise through physical activity and a focus on full, deep breathing.

We all have an unlimited resource of wisdom available to us, always; it is called intuition. When we quiet the ego mind from worries, fears, judgement and never ending thoughts we are more receptive to hear this innate source of wisdom. We can feel more comfortable, trusting that we have chosen from our highest selves, that part of us that knows what it knows.

Urban Breath NYC invites you to Trust Your Intuition. Join us for a  breath meditation workshop designed to help you tap into your own source of wisdom.


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Posted by: urbanbreathnyc | June 20, 2010

Allowing the heart to break open…by Monica Aparicio

Allowing the Heart to Break Open…by Monica Aparicio

Not so long ago the thought of being in a serious, intimate relationship terrified me. I subconsciously chose people who I knew could not or would not commit; this was my place of comfort. After the heart breaking experience of a tumultuous divorce proceeded by a violent marriage I was anesthetized to love. I declared that I simply did not wish to be in a relationship. I loved the freedom of being single until I didn’t enjoy it any longer.

The desire to find a companion forced me to face unresolved pain that had been pushed back so deep it manifested itself in destructive behavior. Becoming conscious of unhealthy patterns of behavior helped me to understand why I ran away from committed relationships. Somehow, somewhere I came to believe that I was unworthy of being loved. My own lack of self -love was rooted in this belief.

How many of us find ourselves repeating the same mistakes over and over again, and then wonder “ why does this always happen to me?” Or we ask ourselves “why can’t I find a nice person to be in a relationship with?”  As a result of a personal commitment to healing I realized that the key to being in a healthy relationship with another was to first create a healthy relationship with myself. Biodynamic breath therapy was instrumental in helping me tap into repressed emotions and release old wounds so that I could transform negative thought and behavior patterns into healthier ways of being. I learned that the pain I felt was my heart wanting to break open so I could finally be able to receive new love; love for myself and love for others.

I invite you to join Urban Breath NYC on Saturday July 3, for Heal Your Heart Breath Meditation Workshop. Come and experience the healing power of Biodynamic Breath therapy!


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Posted by: urbanbreathnyc | June 7, 2010

Connect to your passion through breath by Monica Aparicio

Do you know what fuels your passion? Do you feel connected to what brings you the most joy in your life? Many of us live life feeling disconnected, not clear  on our purpose or feeling as though something is lacking in our every day lives.  We get up, get dressed, get to work and often wind up with a sense of dissatisfaction.

I speak from experience when I tell you that I was a person who dreaded getting out of bed every morning because I felt disconnected from the work I did until I started to despise it! Taking into consideration the economic climate we are living in, as a culture we are learning to accept whatever job we are ‘lucky enough” to have. While I do acknowledge the importance of gratitude especially in creating possibilities,  that does not mean we have to settle for less then what we deserve. When I  realized how a lack of passion for my work was affecting other areas in my life, such as my overall sense of happiness, I knew something had to change. Happiness was not going to fall from the sky and land on my lap,  I had to create it.

Sensing that a change in mental perceptions would not only uplift my mood but motivate me to create the changes I desired I consciously sought to address the stress I felt in relation to everything that dissatisfied me in my life. My commitment to begin a meditation practice, took me from learning and integrating  to having a deep desire to share with others the  power of Biodynamic breath.

Experiencing meditation through Biodynamic breath has allowed me to connect with feelings I consciously and unconsciously suppressed; rediscovering my sense of purpose at work and in life. Perhaps you are familiar with the saying ” find work you love or learn to love the work you do”. What a difference it makes when you feel good doing what you do.  Life is a long time especially when you are discontent.

I invite you to tap into the force of your own intuition so that you can get clarity around what you love to do. Join Urban Breath NYC for AWAKEN YOUR PASSION on the Summer Solstice.

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Posted by: urbanbreathnyc | May 25, 2010

Stop, in the name of self-love… by Monica Aparicio

Stop, in the name of self-love…

Until fairly recently I was suffering from a serious case of “people pleasing”. Perhaps it rings a bell for some, when relating to the desire of making everyone around you happy, whether it is your mother, boss, friends or lovers. Does it ever feel like you forgot to bring happiness and joy into your own life first?

I found myself feeling weary and tired of running around, saying yes to every offer at work, feeling unbalanced in various areas of my life, including my health. I had always struggled with issues of weight loss, body image and eventually asthma, which was brought on from stress and the possible impact of poor air quality in downtown Manhattan, post 9-11.

Mentally, I began to notice that my emotional state was greatly affected from the  discomforts I felt physically. I remember sitting in my living room crying after leaving the hospital with a severe lung infection, depressed about the whole ordeal of spending a couple of days trapped in a bed while being pumped full of steroids.

The good that came out of the illness was a strong desire for healing. Becoming more aware of  the connection between my body and mind I realized that what I so desperately needed was whole healing. I didn’t want to just treat the symptoms of my dis-ease  with the use of an inhaler. While I am a huge fan of therapy I also knew that passively sitting and “talking” about my feelings wasn’t going to cut the mustard either. At the suggestion of my therapist I began to participate in a class that incorporated breath with dance and used these as tools to access a space of meditation and healing. I discovered that Biodynamic breath was the most powerful and direct route to whole healing I have ever experienced.

When I stopped to make my whole health a priority, true healing started to take place.  I learned to create more balance in my life by setting healthy boundaries. As a result of taking better care of myself I was able to be more available for others.

I invite you to do something just for yourself; experience how Bioenergetic breath can help ease stress, tension and physical discomfort while raising your awareness. Meditation is not something that needs to be still and silent, it is the act of being fully present in the NOW. Bioenergetic breath meditations engage your body, mind and spirit.

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Posted in Awareness, Biodynamic Breath Therapy, Dis-ease, Meditation, Personal Transformation, Wellness, body-mind connection | Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: urbanbreathnyc | May 21, 2010

Claim Your Body!

Do you ever feel awkward or disconnected in your own body or experience a sense of being ungrounded from time to time?  Maybe you find yourself ignoring chronic discomfort in your neck and shoulders or tension that builds up into constant headaches?

Try this simple exercise: Just for a few moments put your mind on pause..while sitting comfortably with a soft but straight back and feet flat on the floor, close your eyes. Bring your awareness to your body by taking slow deep breaths through your nose. Start scanning your body for sensations of discomfort. Examine how your feet feel. Are your shoes comfortable, do you feel supported? As you move your way up through your ankles take inventory of the joints in your legs: do your knees feel tight or are they loose? Continue to bring attention to every area of your body while breathing gently, until you have scanned your entire body. This simple exercise that takes 5 minutes will heighten your body awareness.

It is impossible to be present to our bodies when we are constantly living in our minds as it challenging to be focused when we are physically ill or in discomfort. We invite you to experience how deep guided breath can aide you in healing body aches, releasing tension and grounding you. Join us this Friday for Claim Your Body breath meditation workshop with aromatherapy.

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Posted by: urbanbreathnyc | April 19, 2010

Shamanic Dance Journey as meditation…


Many people I talk to about meditation have told me they find it difficult to sit still long enough to quiet the mind. Traditional still meditation usually requires an absolute halt. This can be an especially challenging task for busy people who spend time physically moving around and/or never experience quiet in a busy mind.

The benefits of meditation, such as feelings of relaxation, a heightened awareness, and a release of physical tension can be available to everyone, but through a different approach.

Creative Movement, such as dance, serves to build the gap between daily activity and an awareness for one’s own body. Once you are present to your body you can begin to disassociate your mind from the outside and bring your entire awareness inwards.

Think of how many times you were fully present in the physical act of running or making love. Anyone can meditate, after all, meditation is just being totally present, with awareness.


Experience the power of dance and Biodynamic breath as tools for meditation and healing. Join us in two weeks for Shamanic Dance Journey and Breath Meditation, as you are guided through a beautifully experiential process!


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Posted by: urbanbreathnyc | March 15, 2010

Using breath to become more aware of the body’s responses to stress by Monica Aparicio

Using breath to become more aware of the body’s responses to stress.

Many people arrive at doing breath work because they are searching for a means to let go of control, physically and mentally. Over time we become so accustomed to literally “holding ourselves in”. The time and place may not always be appropriate to express ourselves, so we keep from speaking up. When we do this we energetically create physical blockages such as a knot in the throat. The desire to control every thought in the mind physically manifests itself with stiffness in the body, often in the neck and shoulders. The body’s response to stress also creates shallow breathing. When we are physically constricted we cannot possibly be open to life; we cut off the supply of energy available to us through breath.

Try this simple exercise to increase awareness of your own body responses to stress: The next time you find yourself in a stressful situation, just take a moment to scan your body for areas that tend to hold tension. Notice how your breathing is affected in the moment. Is your breathing short and shallow? Are you breathing only into the upper part of your body, such as your throat and chest? If this is the case, take a few minutes to slow down and deepen your breath. Visualize oxygen travelling into the particular areas of your body that feel the most tense. Becoming aware of your breathing in times of high stress you can start to mindfully bring awareness to how your body responds to stress and help reduce physical tension.

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Posted by: urbanbreathnyc | February 19, 2010

The Body Mind Connection by Monica Aparicio

The Body Mind Connection by Monica Aparicio

Yesterday, I took my first yoga class in three months. Trying to return to my yoga practice was so challenging, as my tight limbs struggled with every pose. At the end of the class, while feeling the invigorating rush of endorphins kicking in, I was reminded of how our bodies are truly the physical manifestation of our minds. Recalling the parts of my body that felt the most stiff, I related the feeling to the ways in which my mind is “stiff”. I thought about my stubborn need to have many things in my life be “a certain way”.

The soreness I feel today indicates that if my muscles can break through fibers to create new strong muscle tissue so can the mind soften and release old patterns of thought. Letting go of old thoughts and behavior can make way for healthier habits, in body and mind.

Take 5 to 10 minutes to try this simple exercise:

While sitting or standing scan your body for areas that feel tight or tense. Perhaps it is your shoulders, neck, throat or maybe your stomach. You can place a hand on that part of your body and deeply breathe into that space. Visualize the oxygen traveling to this specific area and creating space for release, as you exhale. Focusing the breath allows for an increased awareness to the body and aids the release of thought from the mind.



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Posted by: urbanbreathnyc | February 11, 2010

Biodynamic Breath as a Vehicle for Meditation and Healing

Biodynamic Breath as a Vehicle for Meditation and Healing by Monica Aparicio

Meditation does not have to be still and silent. I think this is a misconception that has kept many from starting a mindfulness practice, including myself. The thought of having to force my body to actually stop running around then quiet my busy New York mind, seemed impossible, yet, I craved the calm and peace that could be attained through meditation. In my search I found Biodynamic breath through a wonderful class that incorporates breath with expressive dance.

Finally, I discovered a way to attain that peaceful, relaxed state through active meditations based on the work of Osho, an enlightened Indian mystic. It was surprising for me to experience stillness and silence from a place of expressive movement. Biodynamic breath, full deep breathing that uses the whole body, helped me to become more aware. By controlling the breath, I began to explore a connection to my conscious and unconscious thoughts through my body.

Not only did I start to develop a deeper understanding of who I was, but I also began to see physical healing in the improvement of  my asthma. In much the same way that the body knows to spontaneously repair itself when injured, our psyches can also begin to heal when both body and mind enter altered states of consciousness. Healing, aided by an increase in oxygen to the blood flow becomes an involuntary act.

The benefits of biodynamic breath, as a tool for meditation and a vehicle for healing are more difficult to explain and  much easier to experience. I invite you to see for yourself!

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Posted in Awareness, Biodynamic Breath Therapy, Dis-ease, Meditation, Osho, Wellness, body-mind connection | Tags: , , , ,

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