You hear the team at Oxygen say often, "take a little time to breathe life in today". When we work with new clients or someone unfamiliar with this theory it isn't uncommon for their reaction to be somewhat crass or abrupt in response. "I am breathing" or "We all have to breathe to be here" are very truthful statements however there is clarity in our breath. It gives us time to think before we speak, it gives us time to take a breath and calm down, it gives a minute to realize the moment we are in maybe isn't as bad as we think it is or could be, it gives us a chance to be thankful for what we have, more importantly, it gives us a chance to maybe see something that we were missing on the original pass through. Maybe we missed something as simple as the smell in the air or the team falling from the other person's eye. Maybe we missed the fact that we were holding our breath or the other person watching us that is a small child.
In the last high-pressure situation you were in, did you find yourself holding your breath? Did you feel your skin flushing or your blood pumping extra hard? If you take a few deep breaths and think about the situation what happens? We start to come closer to a clearer more thought process and remember our surroundings rather than a fight or flight reaction.
If you practice any kind of sport, yoga, running, etc, breath is a major focus along the training. When, where, and HOW to breath becomes integral in maximizing your power, your mental awareness, and your stability. In the batter's box playing baseball, in a balance on a yoga mat, on the shooting range if you are target practicing, in the saddle when you are riding your horse and asking for a new maneuver. We can't expect our focus and stability to sustain themselves through a held breath. We will run out of Oxygen. We will miss something in our surroundings that can affect what we are trying to gain in the outcome. We must continue to breathe to get stronger and perfect our practice.
We need to be able to realize that life doesn't always demand an immediate response. the time it takes to take 2-3 deep breaths is not a deal breaker in ANY situation. So when you find yourself in a conversation or interaction that you want to practice getting a little more out of life, try turning to your breath. This weekend, when you are with your family or catching up with friends or work, take the extra breaths before you respond, while you take a walk, before you critique a child's baseball game, while you are out for wine with a friend. Breath life in for what you might be missing. Breathe life in for something that might be left on the table. Breathe life in for the extra moment of pause so that it's not reactionary, it's purposeful.
I would love to hear how this practice changes your time or outlook on a subject. Please feel free to personally email me your experiences or set up a coaching call! kat@oxygeneq.com
I hope everyone takes a little bit of time to breathe life in today! Kat