Discovery

We are breathing all the time. So why would we need to meet our breath?

Just as we can have a shared history with a partner and yet fall out of intimacy; we can fall out of a relationship with our breath. We always have an opportunity to become reacquainted with our breath. We can become friends with our breath. 

Breathing grounds us in our bodies, provides an opportunity for awareness, and connects us with the natural world all around us. 

“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Directing attention to the breath allows us to slow down and become fuller. Our breath and our nervous system are connected. Slowing down and fuller breaths create a space to rest and relax. Feel the quality of your aliveness.

There are many breath techniques. They can be used to help recover from physical illness, improve concentration, let go of trapped emotions, reduce anxiety, release negative thought loops and beliefs, and even find your voice.

The following practice is an invitation, a single step on a path of discovery.

Practice

You can practice sitting or lying down. You may like to have a glass of water to drink either during the practice or afterward. Finally have a journal or even a piece of paper to write on after the practice completes.

Integration

Reflect on your experience and write down any insights that may have occurred. If nothing seems to have happened during the practice, that’s fine.

Integrating an experience is an organic process. Trust that your body knows what to do. Any benefit of the practice will naturally emerge. You may feel called to make meaning or look for coherence in that which arises naturally out of the process. Trust your intuition and your senses to provide you with a beautiful gift.