The Breathing Power

Welcome, I am delighted to be here with you. Let's begin by arriving in this moment together, allowing your body to settle and releasing tension. Set an intention for this practice and gather your attention with kindness and curiosity. Today, we'll focus on the breath, exploring its humble yet profound power to enhance presence and well-being.

Transcript

Welcome, I am delighted to be there with you. Let's begin by simply arriving here together in this moment, Allowing the body to settle, Releasing any tension in the jaw, The eyes, The forehead, The shoulders. Just take your time letting yourself arrive, Allowing the eyes to close or lowering the gaze, Feeling the spine straight, Upright, Didn't bite yet and relaxed. And as you are ready setting an intention for this practice, Perhaps to cultivate greater calm or clarity or joy, Letting your intention releasing a whole cascade of a neurochemistry to support you and then gathering your attention here with an attitude of kindness and curiosity. Good, So today I would like to focus on the breath. When something seems small or simple, Most of us underestimate its potential impact but sometimes it's by attending to these most basic things that we get the greatest benefits. So begin by simply contacting the breath, Breathing in, Breathing out. Notice how they are expanding on the inhale and are releasing on the exhale. See if you can feel the very beginning of the inhale and follow the breath to the very end of the exhale and doing this again. The breath is humble, It's subtle and yet it's the foundation that our lives are built on. The breath keeps breathing even when we forget about it and yet when you pay attention it unlocks the simple power that impacts every aspect of our lives. Notice how the breath brings you back to the present moment. Notice how it has the power to calm your nervous system and notice how it also makes you more alert, More focused and more present. And so right here, Just taking a couple deep breaths, In and out. Inhaling full and deep, Exhaling slow and gentle. Letting your breath be in its natural rhythm and see if you can narrow your focus to just a sensation of the air entering and exiting your nostril. So feel the cool air flowing in and then the warm air flowing out. And then perhaps shifting your attention to the rise and fall of your chest and belly. Rising and filling up with each inhale and then sinking down with each exhale. See if you can just rest with the breath, Letting go of any effort. Simply letting the breath breathe and knows exactly what to do. Let the breath take care of you and if at any moment you notice your mind has wandered or you become distracted, That's natural. Simply bring your attention back to the breath, Be relaxed, The body and begin again. You can begin again in any moment and as you rest with the breath, Feeling gratitude, Feeling gratitude for the silent support it gives us. Always here in every moment, Taking care of us and welcoming us back to the present. As we draw this breath practice to a close, Reflecting on one simple way, You could focus on the breath in your daily life. Perhaps before you answer the phone or maybe when you're feeling anxious or simply just before a meal. Good. And when you're ready, Bringing some gentle movement into the body, Wiggling the fingers and toes, Perhaps stretching your arms above your head and just moving in any way that feels good. Notice that even as the meditation practice ends, This presence, Our breath continues. I am grateful for your practice and I look forward to practicing with you again.