Do you think breath is boring?

One new meditator kept coming to interviews with a chronic lament, “The breath is so boring.” Finally, I asked him if he’d ever heard of Brooklyn yoga. He said no. I told him to close his mouth tightly and close off both nostrils with his fingers. We sat that way for some time until, finally, he let go of his nose and gasped for air. “Was that breath boring?” I said.

- Larry Rosenberg,
Breath by Breath

Hopefully, that brought you a little laugh on this Sunday morning.

Breathing is free!

Mindfulness is free!

Yes, they both may seem boring and not have any effect on the mind, but the rewards are numerous.

Taking time to sit or lie still, breathe, and stay present in your breath is hard work. We often say Savasana (final relaxation) is the hardest yoga pose, as it asks you to lie still, breathe, and stay present in your mind. 

It’s often easier to run around and get things checked off your to-do list as you can feel the instant reward of crossing something off, and seeing and feeling the reward of breath and mindfulness is a journey, so it’s often disregarded as not helpful.  

It took me years of yoga practice to realize the beneficial effects of deep breathing, mindful movement, and being present to my feelings, but when I found myself more patient, understanding, and a better listener (still a work in progress), I realized the power of breath.

The yoga I was trained in was Vinyasa-style yoga, meaning moving with the breath. It has taught me the importance of letting my breath guide me. Taking this idea off the mat, I realized that when I am stressed, I am often holding my breath, and before I realize it, my body takes a deep inhale and exhale as it knows it needs to release tension, and the best way is for a big breath. 

The body just knows how to make this happen. Allowing the breath to guide our nervous system. 

This week see how your breath guides you. Staying present and being mindful of how you feel when you take some time to breathe.