Breathing,
Also known as respiration,
Has two distinct phases,
Inhalation and exhalation.
While you can consciously inhale and exhale,
Breathing is also an autonomic reflex controlled by your nervous system.
This system taps into the wisdom of your body's oldest teacher,
The breath.
In particular,
We focus on the exhalation of breath in this practice,
The softening of the diaphragm,
And the cycle of release and replenishment that we call breath.
As you feel ready,
Arrive in the posture of your choosing.
You may be seated and upright or choose to rest and lay down.
Move your body into a position that allows you to feel as comfortable and as relaxed as possible.
If it feels safe for you,
Close your eyes down or gently gaze downward.
Each time we exhale,
The body reminds us of the importance of letting go.
The exhale is a necessary step in the process of respiration,
The action of breathing.
Bringing attention to the breath,
Notice your breath in its current state,
In its current flow.
Do your best to set aside your desire for control and instead let the inhales and the exhales flow naturally.
It may help here to place one hand on the belly,
One hand on the heart,
Or both hands on the belly.
Like a perfectly orchestrated symphony,
Many parts collaborate to make breath possible.
As you exhale,
The elastic qualities of the lungs and ribcage gently soften.
Your diaphragm relaxes and moves upwards into your chest.
As the space in your chest cavity gets smaller,
The air,
Rich in carbon dioxide,
The waste product of the breathing process,
Is forced out of your lungs,
Your windpipe,
And then out through your nose or your mouth.
This step in the breathing process is essential.
If we were to hold our breath,
We would succeed only at causing ourselves harm.
And the breath,
Much like the rest of the body system,
Has perfectly engineered a detoxification process that does not allow us to hold on to that which no longer serves us.
Perhaps you deepen the breath here,
Taking more time to slowly sip in your inhales.
And through the mouth,
A softened jaw,
A parted lip,
Exhale and release the breath fully.
Soften,
Release,
Let go.
For the next few moments,
Allow your breath to become your teacher.
Tune into the innate wisdom and understanding of the importance and the ease of letting go.
With each exhale,
Invite the muscles,
The tissues,
And the bones to gently soften towards the earth.
It goes against nature to hold on.
Yet we grasp and cling to whatever makes us feel safe.
Until what we hold on to takes a hold of us.
A part of us finds comfort in being held and in holding,
Even if it means being held down or holding back.
Breath by breath,
Letting go.
Knuckle by knuckle,
Releasing your grip on whatever you've taken hold of,
And whatever has taken hold of you.
The beauty of the breath is that you can carry it with you wherever you go.
It is an anchor for your mindfulness practice.
Return to the breath as a guide.
There are more than 22,
000 opportunities each day to be reminded that detoxification,
The release of what we do not need,
Is essential for our well-being and our ability to sustain life.
Before we breathe in,
We must breathe out.
Before we receive,
We must let go.
