Yoga: healing through breathing

Health is Wealth

“Spiritual energy is the kind that never runs out.” –

Deepak Chopra (Truth teller)

10/18/21

Where: Moonday Night in the Studio~~~~.

Today was semi-unexpected but turned out pretty cool. I woke up to the pleasant surprise of the Sunshine, it has been pretty yet gloomy here in Chicago, so seeing The Sun so bright was so exciting to see and feel. I began my day and began my yogis on the balcony, right in the sun. With my eyes closed, it nearly felt like a mid-summer day. I was grateful, none the less, with my eyes open to the beauty that was the sky, trees, sunshine and little birds. I started practicing yoga in spring 2020, what a time that was. Like a lot of things, yoga found me. I didn’t take classes or follow along to a video until many months into my new experience with movement, my breath and body. Yoga found me at the perfect time, my time of solitude and silence, with all that time I still wanted to move around. But without too much effort or strain. I was flexible as a kid so falling back into stretching on the floor day to day felt natural to me. Sometimes I like to play music or flow in the quiet. Around the same time I began my daily practice, I quickly realized I’d developed the habit of holding my breath. Having to relearn something I’d been unconsciously doing for so long was tough, it was like I was afraid to breath at times. Baffled at the abundance of air that could flow through me at each moment. Now as I write this I am breathing through my nose and from my stomach. Yoga has gifted me with the power of my breath. I am no longer afraid to breath deeply or even to sigh every now and again. Breathing feels good. I proclaimed a year ago that I would feel every breath I take for the rest of my life, they are so precious. Connecting with my breath through yoga each day, even when I don’t physically feel like it, has helped me to build strength. Physically, mentally, and spiritually. Being able to sit in silence and just breath is one of the most peaceful experiences that I will treasure for life. Take time to connect with your breath, it keeps you going, it makes your heart happy. Life is truly a healing journey. I am choosing to heal one step at a time, in all the ways that will find me. Bless

close up photo of woman in red activewear meditating

444 my peace

Podcast

While I was journaling last week, a question that kept coming back to mind was “how do you create Peace in your life?” a question that keeps me mindful of what Peace really means to me. In my life Peace means that I am not living in fear. Peace means that I am safe. Peace means that I am grounded. Peace means that I am in the flow of life.

I was reading The Book of Ecclesiastes, one of the many books of wisdom found in the Bible. In this book the author wrote a lot about what the meaning of life is and how much of that meaning is not found in possession but what is within our spirit.

For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.

The Bible, Ecclesiastes 7:12

This week is already off to the start with a test, a lesson waiting to be learned. Bringing Peace into my life has always felt like a defense, a defense against the person or thing I wanted to be Peaceful around for their sake more so than my own. Now that I am rebuilding my relationship with Peace I have to remind myself of things I am not yet use to thinking. This is a large part of me becoming more of who I know myself to be at heart, I am at Peace. Here are some affirmations I wanted to share, may they help you in times where Peace feels far

  • You are not harming anyone when you say no, no is a valid response
  • Reflect before you respond, Reflect before you react
  • It is ok to just breath, pause for as long as you need
  • I release the fear attached to any expectations, I do not expect
  • I do not let the expectations from others overshadow my freedom of choice
  • I am free, I am calm

It’s ok to remind and affirm yourself of whatever it is that YOU need. Peace doesn’t look the same for everyone. Being mindful of your needs in light of what others need requires balance. Balance is tough, but not impossible.