Namaste.
Whatever position you find yourself in,
Take the next few moments to help yourself feel more comfortable and more settled.
A simple practice in settling can be to take a conscious breath in through your nose and out through your mouth.
This simple release beginning to let go of tension in your jaw,
Around your brow,
And even in the muscles of your throat and neck.
Watching your breath can be a source of great comfort and a source of strength.
You can feel your breath in many places within your body.
Notice where you feel your breath in these moments.
You learn to watch your breath without changing it,
Without needing it to be anything other than it is.
And in return,
Your breath teaches you that it is doing the work,
And your only job is to be attentive.
With this awareness of your breath now,
Deeply known and witnessed,
Begin to bring a silent count to your breath,
Counting the length of your inhale and the length of your exhale.
Whether you've noticed a difference in these counts,
Your inhale longer or shorter than your exhale,
Use the next several rounds of breathing in and counting and breathing out and counting to increase the length of your exhale,
Letting your exhale begin to match your inhale or even move beyond the length of your inhale by one count or more.
Wherever you have arrived at with your breathing,
You can let go of the counting if you haven't already,
And once more feel the breath.
Notice the feeling of knowing what it's like to be full enough to give away more than what you take in.
Let your breath teach you this.
You have more than you know to love.
As much attention as you care to bring,
Let it move into your hands,
Aware of your palms,
Aware of your fingers.
On your next breath,
Bring your right palm to touch the center of your chest.
Feel the weight of your hand as it rests on your chest.
When you're ready,
Bring your left hand to rest on top of your right,
Both hands now creating a weight and perhaps a warmth over the center of your chest.
Your hands are able to detect a rhythm that is constant and steady inside of you,
Your pulse and your breath creating two movements within you as the rest of your body is still.
As you continue to breathe,
Invite your left hand to move away from the center of your chest.
Let your left hand continue to open out to the side of your body and feel it resting midair,
Right hand upon your chest,
Left hand in midair to your side.
On your next breath,
Let your left hand journey back to your chest as your right hand leaves,
Moving away from the center of your chest and out to the side of your body.
Continuing to breathe and feel the right hand in midair,
The left hand on the center of your chest.
On your next breath,
Begin to bring your right hand back to your chest,
Your left hand out into midair.
This gesture teaches you in a physical way the feeling of taking in and receiving.
In the very same instant,
You are releasing and letting go.
Continue this pattern for a few rounds of breath.
On your next breath,
Let your right hand move away from the center of your chest.
On your next breath,
Begin to breathe and feel the right hand in midair.
On your next breath,
Begin to breathe and let go.
Letting your right hand once more find the center of your chest.
And your left hand come to rest on top of your right.
Take three conscious breaths.
Releasing your hands to rest naturally in your lap or wherever they fall.
Turning your attention to the feeling of your breath now that your hands are resting.
Your breath has so much power.
It can be an incredible teacher,
Especially when you're feeling alone or abandoned or lost.
Wherever you are heading to next,
Know that you are not alone and take your rhythm with you.
