The Only Moment We Truly Have

“Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is the only moment.” -Thich Nhat Hanh

We move.  We do.  We ‘get it done’.  There are days when you may not remember much about your day specifically and then other moments that it seems door frames, corners, and furniture jump right out into your way and BAM!  Some days flow and some days simply do not.

We breathe and move.  Does our breath lead our movement or does our movement lead our breath?  Do we breathe in the shallows or into the deep?  Science has proven that deep breathing massages the heart, pumping nutrients and fluid into the vascular system while pumping toxins out and away, leading to better cardiac health.  When you have the choice…..breathe in the deep.  Aim to find the beginning of an inhale down below your navel and the top near your shoulders.

“The men of old breathed clear down to their heels.”  -Chuang Tzu

Try this when you find stress overcoming your body and mind.

Stair Step breath:

Exhale fully and let sips of air in with pauses so that your full inhale takes 8-10 sips and then slowly exhale to the count of about 6 seconds.  Try this for 2 breaths.

Then stair step or sip your next inhale as well as your exhale for 2 breaths.

Now return to a stair stepping inhale with the long 6 second exhale.

If you find any discomfort or anxiety with this simply breathe as usual or come to an even 3 count breath.

Thank your body for doing as you ask and breathing in this moment, with purpose.  Be thankful for your body and your breath.