the Discovery breath
the power of the breath to release tension and anxiety
the power of the breath to release tension and anxiety
Find a quiet place, feel from distraction. Lie down on your back. Bend your knees if your lower back feels sensitive. Close your eyes. Start to breathe in and out through your nose, becoming aware of your breath. Without changing it in any way, make note of how your breath moves in your body.
Where does it begin and end?
Is it fast or slow?
What pattern does it make as it enters and leaves?
Is it choppy or smooth?
Deep or shallow?
Hard or soft?
Now place one hand on your belly and one hand on your chest. Inhale and make note of how your breath moves in your chest.
Do you feel your breath expanding both your chest and upper back?
Do your ribs flare out on the sides?
Are there any areas where your breath is unable to move freely?
Inhale and make note of how your breath moves in your belly.
Do you feel the front of your belly lifting?
Do you feel your breath causing movement in your lower back?
Do you feel your pelvic floor moving with your breath?
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 Discovery breath for 10-15 minutes a day throughout January 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 Discovery breath for 10-15 minutes a day throughout January 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.”