Years ago, I was taught a breathing practice. Recently in a friend’s blog, I was reminded of that same practice. Since then, I’ve been experimenting with it. The practice is very simple, and I think, transformative. It also gives space for us to engage it with our imaginations.
First, the practice. Sitting in a calm place where you won’t be interrupted for a few minutes, it goes like this.
1. Breathe in a full deep breath.
2. Pause for a moment at the top of the breath.
3. Breathe out a full deep breath.
4. Pause for a moment at the bottom of the breath.
None of this should be forced, and each of the four parts should fit your body’s readiness to breath like this. Here are shortened instructions:
1. Breathe in.
2. Pause.
3. Breathe out.
4. Pause
We can repeat this as many times as we want or have the space for.
We can also add our imaginations to it. This is one way that I have done it.
- Breathe in and think to oneself: Open to healing.
- Pause and think to oneself: Receive the healing.
- Breathe out and think to oneself: Release all dis-ease.
- Pause and think to oneself: allow for balance.
We can craft any number of images and phrases to go with each of the four parts of the breathing practice. It can also be done completely in silence with no words to think at all. This can be a simple, powerful way to harness our imagination to the power of our breathing to address what we face each day. If we have health issues, we can bring healing into our bodies. If we face difficult decisions, we can breathe wisdom and guidance into our lives. If we are troubled over events in the world (!!!) we can breathe justice, guidance and balance into the world.
It’s all about what space we give to the wind that is our breath, today.
~Bob Patrick
In classes, my shaman teacher taught us about the 4-4-4 breath. Breathe in for 4, hold for 4, breathe out for four, etc. Pretty identical. It’s nice. I need to remember to do it….,