During the centering exercise at the beginning of my classes, I instruct my students to breathe, being sure to fully exhale and contract the belly in and up to fully empty the air. This is purposely done to empty the stale energy in the body and make room for new prana to be inhaled in. Remind you, I say this at least 6 times a week. However, this afternoon during my own personal practice, I realized I wasn't practicing what I preach. I was holding on to a little of my breath at the bottom of the exhale, as if I was afraid to let it go. What would happen to me if I completely emptied my body of air? Would I suffocate in that empty moment? Why was I having this anxiety all the sudden this afternoon?
Immediately this got me thinking about the parallel to life. How many of us, including myself, are holding on to that last bit of air (or something else) afraid to let go? Blocking new energy and life because we are holding on to something stale? That space being blocked could instead be flourishing with new breath! I’m happy to say that I did not suffocate but was humbly reminded how the simple act of exhaling could transform my life. Ah!
Pancake of the day: chocolate chip
Pose of the day: virabhadrasana 1 (warrior 1)
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