the Focus breath
The power of the breath to help you see yourself clearly
The power of the breath to help you see yourself clearly
Find a quiet place, feel from distraction. Place a tightly rolled blanket or towel on the floor. Lie down on your back with the towel or blanket just underneath your shoulder blades. Your head and shoulders should rest comfortably above the towel, your lower back and legs below. If you experience any discomfort, make the roll smaller.
Place your arms on the floor (bent up at right angles) on either side of your head. Close your eyes. Breathing through your nose, take a few minutes to notice how your breath is moving in your body.
Place your arms on the floor (bent up at right angles) on either side of your head. Close your eyes. Breathing through your nose, take a few minutes to notice how your breath is moving in your body.
Are any emotional or physical sensations arising?
Can you stay present with them, without trying to change them in any way?
At the end of your next exhalation, engage your abdominal muscles to draw your belly toward your spine. Continue to hold in your belly as you inhale (it may expand a bit), and when you exhale, focus on drawing it in again. Keeping the belly engaged as you breathe will move the breath into your chest and upper back elevating your rib cage. Try to direct the breath to areas that are especially tight and rigid, gently sculpting the body and creating space from the inside.
Stay in this position for five minutes, remaining focused on the breath. Then roll to your right side and take the towel or blanket out from beneath you. Lie back down and notice any changes in your body.
Stay in this position for five minutes, remaining focused on the breath. Then roll to your right side and take the towel or blanket out from beneath you. Lie back down and notice any changes in your body.
How does your chest area feel?
How does your heart feel?
What other descriptions, words, impressions come to your mind about your breath. Make note of them and feel free to be creative. Take a few minutes to continue your exploration and then slowly and gently roll to one side and come to a seated position.
Practice the Focus breath for 10-15 minutes a day throughout February to allow time and space to see what happens. You may find it helpful to keep a journal of what you feel like before, during and after each breathing session.
Practice the Focus breath for 10-15 minutes a day throughout February to allow time and space to see what happens. You may find it helpful to keep a journal of what you feel like before, during and after each breathing session.
These breathing exercises are highlighted from the book Breathing Space by Katrina Repka and Alan Finger. They are gentle and safe, but please check in with yourself and follow your own intuition before doing them.
Want support in developing your breathing practice? Join me for my monthly breathing circle on Zoom to share what you experience with each breath.
Want support in developing your breathing practice? Join me for my monthly breathing circle on Zoom to share what you experience with each breath.
Namaste.
“The light in me bows to the light in you.”
“The light in me bows to the light in you.”