We visited EDA Contractors to find out how the suburban organization is driving an emotion revolution.
“We’re going to start with one hand on the chest and one hand on the belly button,” Pat DeAngelis announces to the quiet room. “First, breathe three breaths normal like you’d typically breathe. Now take three deep breaths. Notice what happens with your belly and your lungs.”
“Breathe in,” she intones. The 10 people in front of her inhale, eyes closed, concentrating on the simple motion of breathing in and out. “Two more,” she continues. “Oftentimes, when we breathe, we’re breathing more shallow than we should,” she explains. “When we breathe deep, there are lots of little blood vessels at the bottom of our lungs, and we oxygenate those vessels. And then it goes to the rest of our body. And it decreases anxiety. And it makes us calmer.”
“Now just bring your attention to your feet,” she says. “Do a quick body scan. Just know that you’re grounded to the earth through this floor. Notice any tension in your feet and release it. Now just notice your legs — is there any tightness? Any sensation? Any tension? And just release it.” She repeats the same instructions for the abdomen and pelvis, the chest and shoulders, the throat, the face, the head. “When you’re ready,” she says, “you can open your eyes.”