Early this morning, the Chicago Cubs accomplished a seemingly unattainable goal that they were cursed and hexed from ever achieving.
The Billy Goat Curse was lifted and Cubs’ fans the world over can now celebrate as they exhale. Yes, 108 years of agony are no more.
With their exhale, Cubs’ fans are partaking in at least half of the “secret sauce” for winning the BIG ONE.
What’s the other half?
Well, that would be the inhale.
What?
You’re telling me that inhaling and exhaling are part of the Cubs’ secret?
That is correct.
In fact, I’ve written about the powers of deep breathing exercises in many of my products over the years – and for one reason, the exercises work “miracles.”
Just by learning to tap into the power of your breath, your entire experience of life can be dramatically and inarguably altered for the better.
I continue to write about the glories of deep breathing exercises because they are proven to be incredibly effective at helping a person improve his or her life in ANY AREA.
Before the start of Game Six, I listened to two radio announcers talking about what the Cubs needed to do strategically to play at their best. One announcer told the other, “They need to breathe deeply.”
“Well, haha, if they win tonight doing that, what are you going to say before Game Seven?”
“Same thing.”
Dr. Tom Hanson, author of Heads Up Baseball (an updated and expanded edition is coming out next month), told me this morning that he overheard the players in the dugout discussing staying calm under pressure by… you guessed it… breathing deeply.
Hmmm, could it be for real?
Well, let’s look at this: A few months ago I read an article that asked the question, “Where does all the fat go when you lose weight?”
Turns out that a large portion of excess fat is exhaled into the atmosphere.
Truth is, if you want to be physically stronger and more focused in any type of athletic or martial arts endeavor, you tap into a new level of ability when you understand the mechanics of deep breathing.
The same holds true, psychologically speaking, when taking an exam, giving a speech, writing a report or performing before others. Not only will you feel more grounded and relaxed while engaged, you’ll probably do far better as well.
From experience we know that when we withhold our breath we perform less powerfully and less gracefully.
This is why it’s vitally important to remember the following phrase:
Your Breath is Your POWER.
Taking charge of every breath you will ever take is part of an ongoing journey that is calling out to you.
Mastery of your breath is a lifetime endeavor. On a daily basis you scan your body for physical tension and explore your mind for psychological roadblocks, all of which can be released through guided deep breathing exercises.
I’m looking forward to covering these breathing exercises in great detail at my forthcoming seminar in February, wherein I show how they apply to the art and science of writing.
For now, hats off to the Cubs for using this secret so effectively.
Breathe it, Feel it, Do it!
Matt Furey
mattfurey.com
psycho-cybernetics.com
P.S. Listen to the Nightingale-Conant best-selling audio book, Theater of the Mind, by going to
audible.com. Also, be sure to pick up a copy of Psycho-Cybernetics, Updated and Expanded at amazon.com
