Hello!

How often do I talk about the importance of breath work in the healing process?

Often, right? Like all the time. All. The. Time.

Today, I’m going to talk about it again. It’s such an incredibly simple thing, but even a few minutes, every day, of deep breathing can have a profound impact on your physical and mental health.

There’s a lot of reasons why breath work is important, but today I want to focus on one specific element. Deep, long held breaths create space in your body. Having space is critical to your healing process. 

Think about how you’d feel if you had to spend twenty four hours stuck in a small pod, without room to stretch your arms, move your legs, or wiggle your body. Truly imagine that you’re packed in tight. You’d go insane, right? The second you could get out, you’d head outside, suck in fresh air, and you’d finally feel calm because you could move anywhere you wanted without obstruction. Flail those arms like those wind people all car dealerships seem to have outside. 

It’s the same idea in your body. Take a moment, and tune in. Where are your shoulders sitting? Is your jaw loose, or tight? Where, and how much, tension are you holding in your body? I can promise you it’s more than you think.

Now that you’re aware of how tightly things are packed inside of you, it’s time to take some deep, long held breaths. When you breathe in, feel the breath through your whole body — from the top of your head to the bottom of your toes (or reverse if you prefer). Hold that breath at least fifteen seconds, until it’s a little uncomfortable. When you breathe in, breathe in very slowly. Commit to these few moments with all that you are. 

Imagine that breath creating space in your body. Imagine the breath like wind, creating flow and lightness. Take five to ten deep, deep breaths. Feel the space being created. Picture the room you have all your emotions and stressors packed into getting bigger, and wider with each breath. Add windows to the room, or a skylight. Or French doors if you want to get fancy. Let light in. 

When you breathe out, open the windows in this room. Let the wind dance in, and take everything out. Release what is no longer serving you. Let it out. Give yourself the gift of more space, and lightness in your body.

Practice this a few moments every day, or multiple times a day if you’re carrying a lot of stress, tension, and anxiety. You deserve to take three to five minutes out of your day to breathe and connect in. Dedicated, focused time for deep breaths creates space.

Breathe. Release. Reset. 

This is incredibly healing, I promise.

Big Hugs!!! 

Robin