How important could it be to pay attention to your breath?
Focus on how you're breathing.
It seems silly.
I think about why I would want to think about how I breathe when I just breathe.
But I'm here to tell you today it all starts with your awareness.
And the awareness actually brings you into the moment,
The moment that you're in right now,
Listening,
Breathing,
Experiencing.
So that's why I always like to start with a breath awareness.
Just paying attention to the most important person in your world,
You.
I can tell you right now,
It's almost impossible for you to feel good,
Think straight,
Sleep well,
Overcome illness,
Or benefit from exercise or health regimes if your breathing is out of whack.
If you're not breathing properly,
Your cells,
Brain,
And organs do not get the fuel they need for optimal health.
The truth is,
If you're not breathing properly,
It will make you tired,
Stressed,
Anxious,
And it will impact your physical,
Mental,
And emotional health.
And it all starts with that breath awareness.
How am I breathing?
And once you figure that out,
And you understand how you breathe,
Then you can start taking the steps and actions with conscious breathing,
Conscious awareness,
Meaning you're actually taking control of how you breathe.
Breath awareness can be done anywhere,
Wherever you are,
In any situation.
And the most important thing is not to try to change your breathing while you're doing this exercise.
Be a neutral observer.
Just observe that breath.
Pay attention to every little detail.
As I guide you through this exercise.
So wherever you are,
Just pause.
Take a moment.
What is your posture like?
Are you hunched over or tense?
Is your chest open?
What's your clothing like?
Is it loose or restrictive?
Now feel the air around you.
What's the temperature of the air?
What's the texture of the air?
Follow the air into your body.
Are you breathing through your nose?
Or your mouth?
Don't try to change anything just yet.
I want you to be the observer of your own breath.
How does it feel just to be and to breathe?
What muscles are working to bring air into your body?
What parts of your body are moving as you breathe in?
What parts of your body move as you breathe out?
If you can,
Place one hand on your chest and place one hand on your belly.
Which hand is your breath expanding into first?
Are you breathing into your belly?
Or are you breathing into your chest?
Look down as you breathe in.
Does your belly expand out or move back towards your spine?
Don't change anything at all.
Just follow your breath.
Are your shoulders moving up as you breathe in?
Is there any tension in your body,
Your face,
Or your neck?
Is there any tension in your mind?
Is your mind busy or still?
Can you feel your heartbeat as you breathe?
Can you hear your breath flow in and out?
Or is it silent?
If your mind starts to wander,
That's okay.
Bring it back to your breath.
Just be with your breath.
What comes first?
Your inhalation or your exhalation?
Are you breathing fast?
Are you breathing slow?
Are you breathing fast?
Is your breathing deep or shallow?
Is there a natural pause in between breaths?
Or are you gasping for breath?
Become aware of any changes in your breathing.
Is it smooth and regular?
Or a little jagged?
Is your out-breath controlled,
Forced,
Or relaxed?
Gather as much information about how you breathe just by paying attention.
Come back into your space.
Take a moment to write down anything you noticed about your breath.
