Breathe – and know who you are

Breathing. We do it all the time but we seldom think about it much. So here’s a short exercise for you to consider. Lie down, relax, breathe. Who could resist that, eh?

Now, pay attention. Does your breathing come easily? Do you find yourself gulping air? Do you breathe through your mouth? Try using only your nose. How easily does the air flow into your lungs and out again?

If you’re like most people the answer is: not very well. We grunt and gasp and the exchange of air is not easeful over a five minute period. Perhaps you have a slight cold, or a cough. Something holds up your easy breathing. Notice this.

Why does this matter? Simply because the way we breathe is the most basic way we interact with our world. Do you allow yourself to accept the air and then breathe out the carbon-dioxide? Or is it a bit of a struggle? Pay attention to the muscles in your jaw and face. Are they tense? I bet they are. If so, remember, you are doing this to yourself all day, every day, 24/7. Worried about wrinkles? You might want to think about those tense muscles.

The way you breathe is an indicator of the way you face your entire life.

Can you let the energy of the universe flow through you, like a simple inhalation and exhalation? Or is it a fight? And could you make it easier for yourself? Often relaxing will do that for us – yet we don’t do it often enough.

The way you breathe will mirror the way you are in the rest of the world.

You can claim easeful breathing, and an easeful life, any time you want. But first you have to notice what you’re doing, and if it’s a struggle, you’ll have to listen to your body and consciously learn to breathe easily. It’s not hard if you pay attention. It’s the natural, default position. But somehow, somewhere, most of us have strayed from this. We’re like high speed cars but we’ve left the e-brake on, and we waste energy stifling ourselves. It’s time to pay attention and make a few adjustments.

Take a breather. Change your life.