In this active breathwork session,
We stimulate the nervous system's stress response.
For short periods,
Triggering the activation response within benefits the immune system.
It expels stuck emotions and allows us to find deep rest and balance on the other side.
The research is clear across physical,
Neurological,
And emotional systems.
Breathing with breath is fundamental for healing and presence.
Acknowledge yourself for showing up right now for your breath.
Inhale through your nose,
And open your mouth to audibly exhale.
Quite often in meditation,
Breath is incorporated to offer soothing and grounding.
I have had a long love affair with calming breathwork exercises.
Yet calm isn't always the antidote to stress.
We will face certain phases of life in which a more activated or fiery breathwork practice is needed.
So your breath can help you to find steadiness when stress is on overdrive,
And your breath can also be used to cathartically unlock pent-up emotion and stress.
So the breath we'll explore in a minute is three parts,
All through the mouth.
Two inhales and one exhale.
The first inhale goes into the belly,
The second inhale goes up to the chest,
And then one exhale.
All parts are equal in length.
It'll sound like this.
Before we begin,
I gently urge you to do what feels manageable today.
If things feel overwhelming,
Perhaps pause for a minute,
And then rejoin when ready.
At the same time,
This practice,
As with all breathing exercises,
Is meant to feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Purposefully putting yourself into a mild state of stress with your breath,
And training yourself to remain focused and relaxed through it,
Is incredibly revealing and healing for your nervous system and emotional resilience.
I'll leave it to you to discern what is right for you and what will fuel the change you are seeking.
Lie down on your back to set up for the practice.
Reflect upon your reason for showing up.
What's your intention for today?
What will you use your breath to transform today?
Okay,
Starting the breath,
All through the mouth.
Find the rhythm.
Belly,
Chest,
Exhale.
It's normal if this breath pattern feels unnatural or overwhelming at first.
If you notice tingling or resistance,
It will subside.
Stay with your breath.
Let relaxation spread through your body.
This part of the meditation is the work.
Keep refocusing your thoughts on breath.
You may feel lightheaded or changes in body temperature.
This is okay and normal.
Soften any muscular tension.
Stay with a rhythm and depth of breath that's manageable.
It gets easier.
Keep refocusing your thoughts on breath.
Let its energy move through you.
We are invoking a state of change.
Your breath is the agent for change.
Your breath is the vehicle for change.
Focus on the breath and the change it is sending into your entire body.
You're creating a shift.
Is there pain or discord anywhere?
Send your breath into the places that need care.
Breathe for the spots that are stuck.
Where are you holding on?
Let relaxation spread through your body.
Let go of the control.
You were designed to move through.
You were designed to let go.
Breathe into all the places that are blocked.
You're really feeling all the energy circulate now.
What's showing up now?
Listen in and pay attention.
Maybe you'd like to give it a release and a pathway out.
And I invite you now to maybe make an audible hum or perhaps it needs a little cry.
Give yourself permission to make a little noise and let it out.
It's okay to make noise if that's what your body needs.
Try maybe one more loud yell or soft hum.
Come back to the breath for a little bit longer now.
That rhythm of belly,
Chest,
Exhale.
This is the meditation.
The metronome of your breath.
Feel the expansive quality of this breath.
Your breath is creating a great healing.
Feel everything and move through it all with your breath.
It is transforming you.
Your breath is carrying you through the burdens and through all that weighs you down.
Let it all go.
You were designed to move through.
You were designed to let go.
Relax and let your breath do the work.
Your breath is creating a great healing.
For the last five breaths,
Try taking the breath about 5% deeper.
Use your breath to expel the burdens of life.
You are right on track.
Sweep up any stuck beliefs or resistance or anger or sadness with another hum or cry.
This life force is here to help you release now.
Gently shift your focus to breaths through the nose.
You are connected.
You are healing.
Your body is wise.
Your breath helps you to remember these truths.
Let go,
Relax.
You are right on track.
Taking steady and long breaths through your nose,
Let that practice simmer.
Relax into your wise and vibrant body.
Stay soft,
Open,
Curious.
What is your body communicating to you?
What matters to you?
Listen to the wisdom and the messages within.
Simply receive.
You might feel inspired to come up to seated to finish.
You are connected.
Your body is wise.
How can you take this wisdom out into the world with you when you feel far from presence and your truth?
Option to place a hand on heart,
Offer gratitude to all your teachers.
Maybe take a moment to journal about some of the messages or truths that arose during this practice,
And how you plan to remember it all out in life.
I wish you well as you continue practicing out in life.
Let's connect again soon.
