In so many ways – the world is traumatized.  If we reflect on the past few months alone, regarding Mother Nature and her storms – well, the citizens of Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico continue to rebuild after such devastation.  Grieving is not always about losing someone.  It can be something or MANY things.  Of course, we may want to attach less to our materials, and more to life’s experiences.  Although, these were not solely superficial entities down south.  These were homes, jobs, community centers, restaurants, utilities.  These were entities of livelihood and survival.  And now, as they search the wreckage of physicality, such people have also been asked to do the same of their hearts.  In what took only hours or days time, they now, months later, have to find a way to function after such overwhelming loss.

As the holidays approach, it may be such matters that you too are rebuilding.  Calling insurance companies or your employer to navigate the last few weeks of 2017; trying to make the most optimal choices for your family finances and carry out fiscal balances or purchase holiday goodies for the kids.  There is much asked of you right now, and I know that I personally can feel that in the air around me.  What we need is assimilation.  A certain necessity of climbing back “in” to ourselves.  Climbing inward in order to reclaim experiences through sensation.  Welcoming ourselves back to sight, touch, and sound.

We need breath and space and rejuvenation.  I believe in the powers of somatic work in therapy, through yoga, or energy – modalities which can achieve this.  Maybe it’s through your own nutrition or exercise regimens, but in whatever ways you can begin to reflect, I encourage it.  Is this why the wintry season is bare among the trees?  Glossy and bright on the snow?  So that we may view things more clearly?

You may have such dear things or jobs or people that you lost this year.  There undoubtedly are some painful memories that come up during the seasons of merriment.  “How can I possibly celebrate without them?”  You may not have the answer to that yet.  Although I trust that together, we may be able to recognize that in honoring them, it is a celebration.  And if you can choose to slow down, and return to yourself and recognize the many things/people/experiences around you now, with you now, I encourage it wholeheartedly.

Perhaps the breath practice described below is a good place to begin.  Be well and be kind . . .

Sitting comfortably on a chair or on the floor – anchor your seat and if comfortable, gently close your eyes.  Inhale and exhale through your nose (pending sniffles) and simply take notice.  Begin to feel how the breath feels in your nostrils.  Begin then to notice where your breath lands in your body.  Just like this.  Carry on for about 30-60 seconds, and then possibly introduce a count.  Inhale for 4, hold for 1, and exhale for 4.

Inhale 4 – Hold for 1 – Exhale 4

Just like this, for 3-5 rounds, and then come back to your normal breathing.  Notice how and what you feel.  Don’t try to change anything.  You are already doing what you need to do.  Coming into this practice in the morning or at night, or maybe at your work during the day.  Reclaim.

(*If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or have other health issues that may affect your breathing, please consult with a medical healthcare professional prior to any suggestions of breath practices on this website*)