BREATHE
“Nature demands that we breathe and mostly we do it with ease; but, when we are stressed, angry, or blue it takes effort to keep the air moving through. When you’re at risk of losing your cool, remember to follow this simple rule: BREATHE SLOWLY… BREATHE DEEPLY… BREATHE COMPLETELY…” Breathe © 2012 Kent Burnett and Margaret Crosbie-Burnett
Don’t you just love this poem!? I sure enjoyed reading it today. I located this poem in a book titled “Sowing the Seeds of Well-Being.” I actually got the book (it may be a textbook) from one of the free book share boxes which are positioned throughout my community. I often take walks in my neighborhood and stop by each box to see if there are any good books I might want to read. The title of this book interested me so I picked it up; actually, there were two copies of the book so, I got both just in case I enjoyed it enough to share a copy with one of my coaching clients.
After at least 15 years of holding my breath due to grief, pain and trauma, I recently began doing controlled pranayama (breathing) exercises as part of my yoga and meditation practice. I knew my chest hurt constantly and it often felt like my throat was closing up when I was sad or upset. But, I had no idea that my internal trauma and heart pain was negatively affecting my ability to breathe and speak freely. My vocal tone was distant and my throat always felt scratchy; I didn’t project my voice for years. For the greater part of 2019 though I’ve been digging deep to heal myself from over 30 years of emotional suffering, grief, heartache, loss, feelings of abandonment, and rejection. These negative emotions had begun affecting my physical health and all I knew was I had to make it stop so I could live! I was introduced to yoga years ago but never took a serious interest in practicing what I believed at the time was just a skinny, white girl’s exercise program. After scrolling on Facebook late one evening I came across an ad from Om Yoga and Wellness Studios for their Yoga Teacher Training. The ad talked about the healing attributes of yoga and since they had weekend classes near my home, I signed up to attend the 10-week (200 hour) Yoga Teacher Training. My entire life changed as a result of clicking on that ad and completing the 10-week yoga training! I became a Registered Yoga Teacher in August 2019. I traveled to New York recently to learn more about how to make make yoga classes more accessible for all people to include all minorities, women of color and People with Disabilities.
Prior to reading Chapter 6 “Finding Your Way Out of the Gray” of “Sowing the Seeds of Well-Being, I wrote a breathing exercise to teach to a group of ladies who attended a women’s empowerment workshop where I was a panel member. I understand how important it is for each of us to not just breathe but, to find power in our own breath. YOU HAVE THE POWER to control your negative actions and your response to the negativity brought on by others simply by practicing slow and controlled breathing. So, take a moment right now to quiet your racing heart; close your eyes (as long as you’re not driving or operating machinery :-) ), sit in silent meditation and calm yourself down as you practice this empowering breathing exercise:
BREATHE QUEEN/KING
by Pamela Black
(In-Breath) I am (Out-Breath) Peaceful
(In-Breath) I am (Out-Breath) One-of-a-Kind
(In-Breath) I am (Out-Breath) Strong
(In-Breath) I am (Out-Breath Intelligent
(In-Breath) I am (Out-Breath) Tenacious
(In-Breath) I am (Out-Breath) Innovative
(In-Breath) I am (Out-Breath) Victorious
(In-Breath) I am (Out-Breath) Empowered
QUEEN/KING BE EMPOWERED
Practice slow and controlled breathing; in through the nose (5 count) out through the nose (5 count) to help control stress and to calm yourself down.
NAMASTE
Wishing You Wellness In Mind, Body and Spirit
Queen Pam
The Positive PURGE People
Positively Persevering Until Reaching Goals with Excellence! (™)
https://www.ThePositivePURGEPeople.com