Episode 76: Just Breathe
Transcript
00:06
Hi, I'm Thea Charles, and this is the push or pivot podcast. This podcast has interviews, stories and tools to inspire and guide you to put your fear aside and trust yourself through the push and pivots of your life. Friends, can you believe that we are at the end of the first quarter of the year, this month was all about pause, pause between your push and pivot. We talked about listening to yourself, limiting beliefs that get us stuck in a state of limbo. And we also did our first meditation together. Today, I'd like to end the quarter by practicing another meditation, of breathing meditation. Focusing on our breath, the natural rhythm of our inhale and exhale is something we can all do to relieve feelings of stress, and give ourselves compassion. If you ever thought to yourself, just breathe in a time of stress, then you know that focusing on breath can ground you and get you ready for your next step. Before we start the meditation, make sure you're in a safe and comfortable place. I recommend that you not drive while practicing this meditation. I'm going to ask you a few questions regarding your breath. Take a moment to think about your response. Before we settle into our practice. How do you know that you're breathing right now? What physical sensations in your body inform you of your breath? Could it be the feeling of air touching your nostrils? Or maybe the feeling of your ribcage expanding and contracting with each breath? What do you enjoy about breath? Can you think of a time when you found yourself appreciating the action of breathing. If you're from New England, like me, it might be when you walk outside. And you can see the steam rise on a cold day. When you say Whew. After doing something that exerted energy could be the way you breathe when you play sports, or inhaling a delicious smell. Take a moment to think about what it is you love about breath. Now it's time to begin our meditation. Let's take a second to settle in. To find the position you'd like to be in. You could be seated you could lie down, whatever feels comfortable to you. Let your eyes close if they want to invoke the space to be with no demands on yourself whatsoever. Time just for you. Time to feel and time to let go. And just as you are become aware of your breath, just as it is this movement of life that we call breathing. Notice how breath flows without any will or effort on your part. From the air around you into your body and then back out.
04:18
Just feeling that natural rhythm let it establish itself. There's no need to change it in any way. The breath may be shallow or deep. It may be extremely slow or rapid. It may pause as if for ever when you exhale.
04:58
Nothing to make happen. In whatsoever, there's no need to change yourself or the breathing rhythm in any way. allowing yourself to be to simply be with this awareness.
05:24
Now bring your attention to the texture of breath. how soft it is. Feel the tenderness, brushing through your nose and through the gentle swelling inside you with its accepting touch. how soft can it be?
05:53
Allow yourself to simply feel that tender touch the tender, accepting touch of breath. Intentionally surrender to the tenderness. Surrender to receive the inhalation surrender to the gentle flow of your exhalation. Allow the tender touch of this flow to dissolve any judgment in pain.
06:49
That soft, tender touch, coming to me any place where you have been hard on yourself or any place that is calling for more attention, surrender to the tenderness.
07:11
Know the abiding movement of breath at the spirit of acceptance within you.
07:28
receive the blessing and breathe with compassion for yourself. Now, we begin to transition out of meditation. Start to reorient yourself with the outside world. Savor the feeling of relaxation and start to become aware of your whole body. Gently become aware of your environment. Perhaps you feel like taking a big breath. Maybe shift your weight a little bit. Start to stretch your yarn. And slowly Let's return to our ordinary state of awareness.
08:44
How are you feeling? I hope you enjoyed this breathing meditation. Feel free to add this recording to your favorites when ever you feel the need for compassion for yourself. If you'd like to experience more of my meditations, I offer personalized one on one and small group meditations virtually. If you'd like to learn more, visit my website, Thea rinella.com Th e a r e n e l.com to schedule your practice time with me. Thank you for listening to the push or pivot podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button. And please leave us a review. To learn more about the show and to access the show notes. Visit our website, push or pivot.com I'd also love to hear from you. Share your thoughts and takeaways with me on Instagram at pusher pivot. Thank you for listening, and join me next time on the push or pivot podcast.