Know Your Breath
Let’s start with a point that will sound incredibly obvious: we need to breathe to be alive.
Now, let’s consider the dynamic, intricate ways our breath is not only about us being alive, but living.
Breath is also key to movement, and movement is necessary to participate in the world. Breath is also necessary for change.
If we are yearning to know ourselves better or make change (read: regulate the nervous system, manage anxiety, cultivate overall mind and body health), a wise place to start is with the breath.
Before we even get into specific exercises, it is powerful and necessary to get to know it just as it is. I call it, “Know Your Breath”. (Title perhaps a little bit inspired by “Know Ya Boo”, my Parks & Rec fans).
Let me walk you through it!
Make a choice to sit, stand or lie on the floor. Ask your body which feels the most appealing (even if you think you’ll fall asleep on the floor. If that’s where you body wants to go, go there).
Notice that your body is breathing, and the reaction when you notice the breath. Do you turn away, is it enjoyable? Just ask and notice.
Come back to the breath. Feel the in and out movement. Notice the ways your body “grows” or expands as you breathe, and the way your body “shrinks” as you exhale.
Beyond the chest and belly, notice what other parts of the belly are moving. Notice which parts of the body are still.
Notice how your body feels with eyes open, notice how it feels with eyes closed.
Do you feel like you’re getting enough air?
Now that you’ve spent some time with your breath, is there anything you’d like to change about your breathing or your posture?
Finally, there is no wrong way to be in this step, but check in with your breath to see if it feels like the nature of it is similar to when you started at step 1, or if it has changed and how.
Practice once a day to enhance your relationship with your breath and build a solid foundation for other self care and positive change.
Reference: Hackney, Peggy. “Making Connections: Total Body Integration Through Bartenieff Fundamentals”. 1998.
