A few years ago, I was at a Yoga retreat and attempting a head stand and was told rather directly and curtly by the Yogi at the retreat to stop and do at least 6 weeks of pranayama (breath work) before attempting a head stand again.
Two things could have happened from that encounter, firstly I could have written the yogi off as being too harsh and not instructing me well (which is what I thought at the time) and the second was to take on his instruction as advice, consider it and see there was truth in what he said, regardless of any stories in my head.
I have actively used breathwork now for a few years and have helped others use it to bring a level of internal calm. Even with 2 minutes of pranayama (breathwork) can have significant benefits. I helped a friend a couple of years ago over a lost passport that may have caused a lot of residency issues for her. She was afraid she would have to leave the country etc. The anxiety she has was understandable, but just two minutes of breathwork, centred her in a moment she was starting to spiral. The anxiety off course continued until her passport situation was resolved, that is natural. The take away here really is that meditation and breath work do not solve or remove life challenges (challenges will always appear through the course of our lives) but they certainly do they help us work through and get through them.
My challenge to you, spend 5, 10, 15 minutes of your day every day for 21 days on some breathing and meditation and see what it brings you :). Am happy to give you a complimentary start off on this journey (just contact me) as I truly believe these are some simple tools the whole world could benefit from that are just there at our disposal, at no cost, but there are too few people who utilise this amazing gift.
Love & Light,
Greta Rekha