Sometimes it’s time to talk. But sometimes we don’t find the time when we should and sometimes there is not anyone around to talk to. Maybe then the question is “how are you breathing today?” Take a minute and watch (without judgement if you can).
Watch your breath. Watch how it moves. Just for a moment of two. Can you let the air breathe you rather than you breathe the air? Imagine you are lying on the ground on the grass on a sunny day watching the clouds going above you. Imagine the clouds are your breath.
Breathing is something we all do all day, often without thinking about it. It can be the something we can cultivate, watch and manage when all else may seem beyond control. It informs your brain. It tells you it’s ok.
What’s your breath up to? Slow and long breathes? Short and fast breaths? Does it finish by your heart or does it carry on into your belly? How (if at all) does watching it affect the breath?
Some people believe the speed at which you breathe will dictate the length of life. I have no idea if there’s any science behind this but I know that slower moving animals (giant tortoises and elephants for example) tend to live the longest and faster moving animals (let’s say hummingbirds, why not?) don’t. Could all be hodge-podge though. Similar to my last contribution to the TGP newsletter limited research has been done to substantiate anything I’m saying.
Now, after watching your breath for a few moments you could try this…
Imagine your lungs are gigantic bellows. Breathe in through your nostrils, keep your lips closed but your mouth relaxed (no clenched teeth). The breath flows freely, deeply. You are relaxed.
As you breathe imagine you’re filling up the base of your belly with breath... 3
… now imagine the side of your upper body is filing with breath to the left and to the right… 2
… now imagine the breath is reaching your heart and filing up your chest… 1.
Breathe out through your nostrils steadily, without forcing anything until all of the air has left your lungs completely 3… 2… 1…
Good. Now repeat this two more times breathing in steadily for 4 seconds, hold and breathe out for 4 complete seconds.
Now, if it feels ok and you feel comfortable, breathe in for 6 seconds 5… 4… 3… 2… 1. Now breathe out through your nostrils until the air has left your lungs completely for 4 complete seconds.
Hold.
Repeat two more times.
Finally, if you’re feeling ok and want to continue take a deep breath in for 8 seconds. Feel your lower belly inflate (don’t worry about how unflattering this may look) 7… 6… feel the side of your torso fill with air… 5… 4… then feel your chest fill right to the top 3…2…1. Breathe out steadily for 4 seconds. Repeat this two more times.
Then back down to three sets of breathing in for 6 and out for 4.
Then back down to where we started: three sets of breathing steadily in for 4 and then out for 4.
Now return to breathing normally. Watch your breath. If you had your eyes closed you can open them.
How do you feel? Any different form when you began? How?
No one was watching. No one knew what you were doing and you could do this pretty much anywhere. It’s yours.
