“Heave Ho Yo Ho” says the pirate as they row forward and conquer the world.

Good for pirates, but for the rest of us…

No need to conquer here, all we have to do is harness our respiratory system so that it work to our benefit when managing a crisis.

We get to choose how we breathe

But how do we harness a respiratory system that is both voluntary and involuntary? Do we Heave Ho and push through? or Do we practice mindful breathing as Gary Hendricks discuss in his book Conscious Breathing (1995)?

His is the quote I read from his book:

“Human consciousness is powerful enough that we can notice when we are in a stressed breathing pattern and do something about it. We can consciously take deeper slower breaths, and we can consciously, shift our breathing from chest to belly.” 

As much as I tend to Heave Ho, I know that mindfulness is the ticket to clarity and reason when chaos abounds.

Read along with me beginning at page 110 of my book Leading Chaos; An Essential Guide to Conflict Management as I begin with you my chapter titled “Don’t Forget to Breathe” and soon we will say adios to the Heave Ho and Hello to directed breathing that helps us and other in crisis.