Breathing Technique For Improved Playing

Well,this ukulele blog is about to get into the "Woo-Woo" side of things. if you're not into Woo Woo or think it's nuts,you can skip this entry. However-if you're open minded and/or meditate already,read on!
   How you breathe can affect your playing.....for better or for worse. Often,when one goes to practice,there's stress on some level reverberating throughout your psyche,your body,and the whole idea is to play your uke to relax and have fun,right?
   But how many of us,(myself included) have sat down after a hectic day,picked up our uke,and found ourselves still stuck in the replay of the unpleasant encounters of the day,getting mental reminders of what needs to be done on our "to do" list,among other things? Artists need to shift gears before they work their craft,however,how many of us know how to do that? Allow me to introduce you to learning a breathing technique. It's simple,it's easy to do,and most important,it works. 
        So- when you're ready to pick up your flea and play,try this first:
    Sit or lay comfortably,close your eyes,and take a slow,deep breath in thru your nose....the type of breath that makes your rib cage expand.
      Then,exhale thru your mouth. Now,as you exhale thru your mouth,I encourage you to allow a verbal sigh-and release the tension you're feeling with that exhale/sigh. You don't have to be loud,but it should be audible to you,anyway. 
         So, deep slow inhale,,,,breathe in tranquility,peace,harmony,exhale the tensions, let them go,let them go,let them go.....good. 
           Repeat this until you feel a difference within yourself. No time limit,it could happen in 5,10,15 min. You'll know when you've arrived. 
            When you're in that relaxed and refreshed space,pick up your uke and play!