In this practice,
We're going to be using a cooling breath.
This practice is good for times where you feel extra heat in the body and you need to cool down,
As well as any agitation in the nervous system that needs to be smoothed out.
We're going to be using Satali Pranayama,
Or tongue sipping breath.
I invite you to come to a position where you feel comfortable and supported.
This practice can be done lying down,
Seated,
Or even as you move throughout your day.
Taking a moment here and checking in,
Noticing what's alive for you in this moment.
Checking in with the mind,
Noticing different thoughts,
Emotions that might be bubbling up for you.
Checking in with the body,
Noticing different sensations,
Tightness,
Ease.
And then checking in with the breath,
Noticing texture of the breath,
The length of the breath.
And holding all of that with kind,
Gentle awareness.
This is how it is in this moment.
I invite you to keep the jaw soft.
Separate the back teeth,
Creating a little bit more ease in the jaw.
And then I invite you to take the edges of your tongue and just curl them up,
Forming the shape of a straw with the tongue.
If that is not available for you,
You could even keep the molars slightly separated and gently bringing the front of your teeth so that they lightly touch.
Breathing in through soft lips,
Either through the tongue in shape of a straw or softly open lips,
Breathing in through the teeth with tongue soft.
Breathing in through the mouth,
Pausing at the top of the inhale.
Relax the tongue,
Close the lips and exhale through the nostrils.
Inhaling through the mouth,
Either through the tongue in the shape of a straw or teeth gently touching.
Pausing,
Close the lips,
Soften the tongue and exhale through the nostrils.
Inhaling through the mouth,
Filling the belly,
Filling the chest.
Pausing,
Close the lips,
Soften the tongue and exhale through the nostrils.
One more time.
And then returning to the natural rhythm of your own breath.
Take a moment here and pausing and checking in.
Returning back to the mind,
Thoughts,
Feelings.
Checking in with the body,
Sensations.
Checking in with your breath.
Come back to feeling your feet on the floor.
Your body supported in a chair.
Becoming aware of sounds in the room.
And if the eyes have been closed,
Just start to gently open the eyes,
Bringing in more light.
May this practice be a support for you as you move throughout your day.
