I was in meditation this weekend and through stillness and deep awareness, I noticed my physical body different or removed from where my consciousness was. This was not an out of body experience and is a very common state for someone who meditates regularly. What this can offer us (me in this case) is a sense of the density or heaviness we might feel or carry in our body. Take away gravity, which is something, everyone on earth encounters and we experience how our body feels to us. This will often reveal patterns of tension and heaviness in our bodies due to limiting or reducing the flow of energy.

Let me roll the clock back just a bit to a warm day last summer. I was walking in a busy area of Ottawa and ahead of me was a young woman possibly in her early twenties. What I notice about her and has stayed with me since was the way her body moved. Every cell in her body from her head to toe was living an individual expression and supporting each other. There were no “needy” cells or groups of cells looking for attention by holding or gripping. Her body floated gracefully, shoulders, arms, and fingers swishing as if completely free. Her torso, hips, legs, and feet moved toward each new step without any regret as if everything was new and exciting. I remember her as “The Breeze” because she moved effortlessly as a physical being.

We have all encountered people like this woman and many of us feel the same way at times. Maybe we have been on holiday and have unwound, stepped back from our daily routine long enough to release our tension and heaviness.

Unwinding the spring and letting every cell in our body dance freely can be a challenge. Becoming “aware” of our distractors and overwhelm is key to stabilize and uplift us in the “now” (our current moment) but also has a cumulative effect on feeling better long-term.

We have all heard the term “go to the breath” or “let the breath be your guide,” and the breath really is a remarkable tool. Once a person masters a few simple breathing exercises they quickly find themselves much more in charge of challenges brought forth in daily life. It becomes easier for us to shift our focus to a state of calm of lightness.

Here is an example you can try on your own. Next time you are waiting in traffic or in a line and your mind focuses on the delay and you start to become impatient, shift your focus to your breath. Breathe in and out mindfully, lengthening your inhale and exhale to allow any tension dissipate. In just a few breath cycles, you should feel more at ease and clear minded. This is a perfect way to flip the switch and step forward to create your life rather than feeling stuck and helpless.

Taking clearly defined and purposeful breaths will lead to awareness, and through awareness, one is able to discover and release tension. Daily life can plant many little-unwanted seeds to clutter our energy. The breath is an opportunity to pull the weeds and allow our physical and energetic garden to flourish!

Look for future posts on how to engage and expand your breath, something vital to living life.

Here is a link to get you started on what is called “equal” or “square” breath.

“sama vritti pranayama”

by Tom Kelly