Awareness Of Breath

Breathing is something we do unconsciously and yet sustains our life. For some of us, focusing on our breathing can increase anxiousness. You do not need to push through any discomfort. It may be helpful to work with someone skilled in somatic awareness who can be a guide and support as you become more familiar with and feel safe with the breath.

This practice is simply about being aware of our breath with no force or control over any part of our breath.

Transcript

Awareness of breath. Breathing is something we do unconsciously in order to stay alive. And breathing requires no conscious thought. Some people find sitting in stillness and focusing on breathing to be incredibly anxiety-inducing. Other people find it to be very calming. For anyone who has had panic attacks or a history of breathing challenges, Breathwork of any kind has the potential to create a strong physiological reaction. If this practice begins to create so much discomfort, It becomes distressing, I encourage you to pause and to stop. And to not try to push through that discomfort. It is not worth. Suffering through simply because our culture and society has suggested that breathwork should be easy and enjoyable. That is not the case for everybody. This doesn't mean that breath work. Should be avoided entirely. But it should be practiced with care. It could be helpful to practice with someone skilled in somatic awareness who can be an anchor for your nervous system as you explore. Before we begin, Choose how you would like to be for this practice. You can be seated, You can stand, You can be lying down. It is often easiest to be lying down with some cushions or pillows with something comfortable on. Being really cozy. You can keep your eyes closed. Or you can have them open. If you're keeping your eyes open, Try to focus on one point. Set your intention to be curious about and open to whatever your experience is. And as you settle into this practice, If you're keeping your eyes open, Try to really soften the gaze and hold the gaze at one neutral spot. Notice if your eyes start to wander. That means your mind is likely wandering as well. And as you move into this practice, It might be helpful to label your sensations and your experience as pleasant, Unpleasant, Or neutral. Take note of how you feel. Before you start moving your awareness to breath. Notice any thoughts, Emotions that are pleasant, Unpleasant, Or neutral. For this particular breathing practice, There's no need to try to control the flow or increase the length of your inhales or exhales. Simply bring awareness to your breath. There are many places our awareness can go when we focus on the breath. The air meeting our nostrils. The sensation of air just below the nostrils. The movement of the in and out breath in the chest. In the abdomen. The whole path of the breath on the inhale from the nose, Through the throat, The chest. Into the abdomen. And the out breath moving back up through the abdomen, The chest, The throat. And then through the nose. What do you notice about your own breath? Do you feel the temperature of the air? Does anything feel pleasant? Unpleasant. Neutral. Take your time here observing. Noticing. Sensing. And then take one more inhale. And exhale. Begin to move slowly. You can start with your fingers and toes. Roll your head, Your neck. Gently. If your eyes are closed, Slowly open your eyes. And then take note of your experience and how you feel after the practice. You are always welcome to extend this practice, Setting a timer. For one, Three, Five, Or even 10 minutes. With the only intention being aware of the breath and being curious about the experience.