Just Breathe
A segment of the weekly newsletter is a weekly theme and this blog post is an enhancement to that section. Each weekly theme is an invitation and encouragement meant to help the reader better connect to themselves. Please note that the selected themes can be reflected upon at any time and are not limited to the week the themes are shared and published.
Theme: Breathe
This week’s theme is Breathe. In Yoga terms, the breath is a life-giving force called “prana.” Our breath is a reminder of our aliveness and breathing is a process of inhalations and exhalations that happens all the time, regardless of whether or not we are aware of it. When we become aware of our breath, however, we can make the choice to breathe deeper. Deep breaths give us the opportunity to settle our nervous systems and possibly trigger the start of the relaxation response. Shallow breaths, on the other hand, activate our nervous system and can lead us down the path of triggering out fight-flight-freeze response.
The encouragement this week is to notice the breath as often as you can: notice how you are breathing and pay attention to those moments where you can create more depth to the breath. It doesn’t have to be complicated either; five deep breaths is enough to reset the mind and create space between stimulus and response so that you can show up to life in more grounded and objective ways.
Practices for Reflection
Start by taking five deep breaths to ground yourself. Then, reflect on any or all of the following questions:
When was the last time you noticed your breath?
How do you feel when your breaths are shallow and rushed?
How does your breath connect to feelings of ease?
What breathing practices, if any, do you have?
Where can you insert more moments of deep breathing?
Personal Reflection
Ah, the breath. My kids make fun of me because I take so many deep and loud breaths around them; they don’t “get” that I take deep breaths around them to resource myself so that I can continue to try to parent them in calm and non-reactive ways. The breath is one way I check in with myself: Can I calm myself down by tapping into my breath? Can I remember that as long as I can slow down and breathe deeply, I can make it through the next moment?
The breath is important not only in my relationships to others, but also in my running and yoga asana practices. The breath is how I make it through the challenge of running and the discomfort of some of the yoga poses. Again, the question is about how I can use the breath to help me get through one moment and into the next moment.
With the new school year starting and new routines being established, the breath is how I remain constant amongst all the change. As long as I am breathing and I am aware that I can deepen my breath to help keep worry and overwhelm at bay, then I can handle the uncertainty that lies ahead. Or I can try with big breaths in between those moments of doubt.
