Full Body Breaths
These last few months I've been paying very close attention to my breathing throughout the day. I've been amping it up these last few weeks. I also did a breathwork session with a client last week and noticed that where I used to be able to breath unhindered for over an hour, I was tingly after about fifteen minutes. It looks like along with all the other ways in which I managed to shut things down inside me over the last two years, my breath also got shallow. I'm not in the least surprised.
But that's OK, as I'm on my way back to Body. We can all find our way back to Body. Do you feel all of yours?
So the awareness has been to feel the air enter my nostrils, feel it tickle my throat, notice when it touches the places of holding there, in my jaw. I open the jaw, feel it loosen. I relax my mouth so it opens a bit. I feel Lungs expand and open the constriction that is held there. It's tight each time I focus there, but opens as I bring awareness. I invite opening, inviting breath in to slowly open that which has felt the need to protect itself. I notice that I tend to hold my breath on the outbreath. Sometimes too long until, if I focus at just the right time, I feel almost nauseous. I remind body and mind to take in life, feel its energy, lessen the gap between inbreath and out.
I bring that opening energy to my heart, then see it gently flow out, imagining all that I don't need going with the outbreath. With each breath, I bring the air and mind further down. Within about four more breaths I am at my first chakra, breathing life there, feeling it tingle and be alive. Then I expand the energy throughout my whole body, seeing/feeling it vibrate.
And life is so very very good.
Art:
Storm by Jonna Harris
9 comments:
Same thing, different body & sensations:
'Breathe in deeply...' Now describe the sensations & context...
1.) I'm at the Doc's office, now this time it's for a yearly stress test. This won't be fun. Naturally I do it in slacks. I'm like that...
2.) That old asthma sensation... when swimming etc.
3.) That old dry mouth [Cough!] drug interaction, needs water quickly sensation.
4.) Damnit, what's that damn smell!? (I have an acute sense of smell, and it can get annoying at times).
5.) Relax. Breathe in deeply. They said it won't hurt. Wait a second! You believed that crap? That never works! One of the oldest lies in the medical profession is 'painless dentistry' Don't look... Bloody Hell that hurts!
6.) Relax. Breathe in deeply. Listen strongly. Wait what the hell was that scratching sound? Damnit, it's coming from over there, now where's the broom... (Hearing, ditto).
7.) Relax. Breathe in deeply. Roll down the window. 'Yes officer, I know I was speeding. I'm sorry I was on my way to a funeral. No really. Yes, I know that was unintentionally funny. No he died of natural causes, the old sot. Sure, thanks for taking down the speed at a 20% discount for that' Geez it must be my lucky day...
8.) Relax. Breathe in deeply. 'Yes dear' 'No that would be fine with me.' (Don't fight it lie back and enjoy life...)
9.) Relax. Breathe in deeply. Focus. Aim. Breathe in. Hold. Fire!
10.) Relax. Breathe in deeply. Damnit! How'd you miss that stupid critter. Reload. Try searching again.
Cheers & Good Luck, 'VJ'
I just found your blog...very cool and inspiring discussions! Thanks for the reminder to breathe and come back to the body. I forget this sometimes and find myself floating about 6 feet up:) I do love to be in my body (most of the time). So...here's to breathing and enjoying this fabulous physical form!
You crack me up, VJ. Loved, especially, the cop reference. Have fun breathing and remembering stuff today...hehehehehe....
Hi, Lynne...thank you so much and welcome here!!!
Yes. I truly think that we need no books, no Teachers, nothing but breath to find ourselves and our connection to God. It's all there. And..I love it when I remember that part.
It's amazing what the simple act of breathing properly will do! Both yoga and meditation are great touchstones for getting back in touch with ourselves. I like to start with the root chakra and work my way up and out the top of my head...sometimes I visualize getting deep inside my body..into the blood cells that carry the oxygen, and deeper still.
This post was a great reminder. Thanks!
Hi, Grace..yes yoga and meditation are great! With my yoga these days, I'm doing extra pranayamas with bandha locks with each pose to really infuse the body with O2. Feels great.
And I've been being with micromeditiations during the whole day along with a sitting meditating. I sometimes do a merging exercise with them, too.
Thanks for stopping by!!!
Not to put a fine point on it, but strangely enough, this is awfully familiar to me too: '...micromeditiations... [and] do a merging exercise with them...,' especially when driving. Of course it drives the wife nuts too, but I trust in the universe that the car following too closely behind me will magically move or slow when I come to occupy the lane right in front of them. Further, I do not chose to look too closely to confirm this fact. Of course I always signal my intentions first. Well I try too anyway. This is less somewhat effective with 18 wheelers though. But it's a small car, and I can get by just fine on the shoulder, and do regularly manage to do that. All while meditating typically. The wife has given up telling me 'I can't believe you just did that!', she's usually now in quiet prayerful repose. It's these small meaningful moments that are so special to us. If you can not feel & come in contact with your spirit on the edge of oblivion, then when can you? I also find this is a common effect with most people who travel with me, BTW. Cheers & Good Luck! 'VJ'
Hi, VJ- I read this the first time and just read it. Then read it again and wondered if you were teasing about the "merging" (...cars....traffic....as it's so difficult to figure intent out here on the screen).
But in the end it doesn't matter, does it? for the metaphor fits either way.
:) I'm sorry, Pamm...I'm not really fully versed in all the terminology, so I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean. I've been a 'lay' practioner of yoga for only 3 years. So my intentions pretty simple...breathe into my full body and awareness, keep my heart wide open, and seek balance.
But hopefully - whatever we're calling it - it's bringing us into deeper awareness and more connectivity with our Selves (all parts), each other, and the Divine. Thanks for the education!
Hi, Grace...agreed.
And if you ever get the chance, there are fun things to do with the breathing. The one breath exercise (pranayama) I've been doing with the yoga, I lovingly call "The Hairball Breath." Slowly blow out all the air throught pursed lips, sniff in air really intensely through the nose, open mouth and say Paaaahhhh as you force the air out, then hold it, tighten stomach muscles and pull them in and up under the ribs to lock the energy.
Hold it until it is no longer comfortable then let go slowly as you bring more air in. Ahhhhhhhh.....gets tons of O2 into the body, opens the lungs big time, and energizes the system.
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