Even though my breath is something that has been a part of me since conception, it took me a very long time to discover its magic and meaning in my life. As a child, no one pulls you aside to explain why breathing is such an important part of our existence and the calming effects it can have on your whole self.
As a school counselor who works with children, I created a sign for my office and hung it up on the wall which read “Smell the flower, Blow out the candle, Breathe in and out”. I used this as a way to teach children how/why to breathe and as a reminder for myself to take deep breaths during times of high stress brought on by seeing many tears and listening to children and parents’ issues.
I began practicing yoga in 2001 as a way to work out and alleviate stress. The heated vinyasa class reeled me in with its vigorous and athletic flow. What I liked most was that the heat in the room forced you to breathe and stay connected with breath while moving and sweating out all of the toxins of the body and blocking out the jibber jabber of the mind. I became a certified vinyasa yoga instructor in 2012 after having been practicing the discipline of meditation regularly since 2010. In adopting these two things as an essential part of my health and well-being, I found that both yoga and meditation provided me with an amazing sense of peace that felt like a safe haven ultimately existing only within my own self.
The common denominator in both of these practices was the focus on the breath. This is what led me to the conclusion that my breath is and always will be my best friend.
Five reasons why breathing can be your best friend too:
1. Breathing is the only thing that gets me out of my head and more into my body so that I am able to really acknowledge, feel, and connect with my emotions.
2. Breathing reminds me to stop being ‘nowhere’ and be ‘now here’. When I focus on my breath, I am not able to think about anything else, but the present moment. The more present I am, the more awareness I have.
3. Breathing helps me to practice mindfulness. I can take notice of things more clearly, appreciate all that’s around me, and center myself when I need to.
4. Breathing reminds me that I am never alone. Taking deep breaths during times of stress, fear, doubt or anxiety is one thing that forces me to stop the thoughts that are causing discomfort or pain and take notice that everything is okay in that exact moment just as it is.
5. Breathing reminds me that being alive is a gift. That having negative thoughts and uncomfortable feelings about where I am, serves no purpose. It is a constant reminder to feel gratitude for the higher power that created and gifted me with all I really need to be happy in life- a beautiful mind, body, and spirit. I am grateful to my breath for helping me remember to experience each moment in the present because that is exactly what each moment of our life is- a present.