Pause
A pause is like a clearing in the forest. A refreshing well to drink from. A resource that is always with you.
A Short Inquiry - the essential breath
know your body, respect your limits, modify where needed - a key yoga practice
sit or stand comfortably in a chair
notice your breathing without altering it
let the breath be what it is
slowly begin to rest attention on the exhalation
let your awareness travel with the exhale — right to its end
gently continue to keep attention on the exhale for a few more breath cycles
enjoy the sensation of the breath effortlessly leaving the body
Explore the Movement
notice what you notice with gentle kindness to yourself - another key yoga practice
have you begun to notice a slight pause at the end of the exhale?
if not, that is okay
please don’t force, let the breath be as natural as possible
allow yourself to relax with each breath
continue following the exhale to its end and simply notice
this is an inquiry, an investigation of curiosity
feel ease — be soft — be allowing
trust that the next inhale can arise out of the pause without a need to “grab” it
Discover Amazing
Within this pause there is no thought and no movement. You may experience it as a pregnant silence, much like the silence you feel when you enter a forest. The new breath arises out of this pause. The next moment arises out of this pause. The inhalation is born out of the stillness of the pause and the exhalation dissolves into the pause.
This pause is a well, a resource that is always available to you. Know that at any time when you feel tired or confused, hurried or overwhelmed, you can draw from this well for rest and replenishment simply by entering the pause at the end of the exhalation. Without anticipating or projecting the outcome of the next moment, can you wait and see what the next breath brings?
Yoga Practice
The pause in the breath is not generally taught in the average yoga class (or at least in my experience). During my teacher training while researching on-line, I came across yoga teacher Elizabeth Klarich who shared about using the pause in another way: Pause, Smile and Feel Good. It stuck with me. I encourage you to invite the ‘pause’ within your breath and within your yoga practice.
Everyday Living
This past week invited me to explore the pause after the exhale. Life can be uncertain and change unexpectedly. Yet, we always have this pause within our breath that can refresh us. As I practiced the above breathing inquiry from Donna Farhi’s Breathing Book, it did indeed bring me a sense of calm and fresh energy to meet the day. May you too be enriched by the pause contained within you.
Namaste, the Light in me honors the Light in you
keep moving — health is movement and movement is health
Disclaimer: Be safe and move wisely without causing harm. Information provided in this newsletter is for you to explore and discover how your body works. It is not to diagnose any medical condition. Please consult with a physician or physiotherapist if you have concerns.
Donna Farhi, “The Breathing Book”, page 9
Donna Farhi, “The Breathing Book”, page 10