What does that actually mean? Of course I breathe. (I admit I can find advice to “just breathe” a little condescending.)
But breathing is a miracle.
The body just breathes.
Even more miraculous is the fact that we can feel and change the way we breathe. And we all know by now that how we breathe affects everything else. Particularly the central nervous system. (Hence the above advice.)
But have you ever observed your breathing? From the beginning of the inhalation to the end of the exhalation?
Give it a whirl – yup, right now – and see what happens. Breathe through your nose if you can. Let’s really break it down. Go SMALL. This way, your mind won’t wander.
First, the inhalation. (Actually, the exhalation prompts the inhalation, but that’s another story…)
The air enters your nose. What is its temperature? Is it going in smoothly? Is it dry or moist? Did you feel any pressure change in your head or throat? Did your chest move up? Any movement in the ribcage? How about the belly? Was the pace fast or slow? Did you hear anything going on inside? What about your state of mind? Did you feel more alert when inhaling?
Ok, now observe the exhalation. Any dropping of the shoulders? Did the belly or guts change shape? Did you leave any air in there? Could you expel it all through the nose? Was the out-breath faster than the in-breath? What did you feel like when you emptied out – concerned about the next breath, maybe? Or pleasantly released and settled?
Try this whole process a few times. Say three. See what you notice. Any discoveries?
Ok, so this “just breathing” stuff has a whole lot more going on than most of us realize. And the sensations you observe are all unique to you, your state of health, mental and physical – and spiritual.
Punchline: observing your breath is an amazing portal into improved movement. If you can observe it, you can understand it, and if you can understand it, you can manipulate it to improve how you move and how you rest.
I love a new-ish book by James Nestor, entitled Breath. I highly recommend it. Totally nerdy and fascinating, Full of fun facts, some history, and loads of reassurance about our capacity to “just breathe”.
And if reading a whole book doesn’t appeal right now, here is a good article from Harvard Health. I disagree with it in one key respect: you don’t need to sit up “erect” to do these breathing routines. Standing, lying down, sitting – all good if you’re comfortable.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/breath-meditation-a-great-way-to-relieve-stress
