Hate breathing exercises? Well, you just might love this fun way of breathing. 

I will not bring you through another box-breathing exercise or supersonic puffing. You know, the kind that feels weird and uncomfortable to breathe through.

A while back, I did a meditation that was called Breathing with Your Toes, and, if you know my sense of humor, that’s exactly what the meditation was about.

There is something to be said for bringing in creativity silliness and ways of thinking that are so out of the ordinary. Doing this helps your brain as it does not process things in words, like how we speak to each other.

It works in metaphor and story, and it also taps into fun things that light us up. Our brain, that is. 

We get those happy chemicals and we get even more outrageous in the way we do things, and that is a good thing because our brain loves novelty.

It loves newness and excitement.

The fun way to breathe

This is fun, and calming and it is really good to do with kids.

Close your eyes. So I want you just to imagine you’re just breathing the way you normally breathe in and out, and in and out.

You don’t need to change anything or modify your breathing. Just breathe in and out.

I want you to imagine or just think, of what your body would look like if your body was being completely breathed on its own.

• Would you be fading in and out?
• Would you be like a sponge that gets full and then it exhales and it gets small?
• Maybe you see colors, like a living breathing aura.

 

But whatever your imagination is, just play with me and allow your body to breathe, and as you’re allowing your body to breathe you’re just noticing the connection between your body and the outside world.

The air is just coming into every part of your body and then going right back out again, this connection that happens when your whole body breathes.

Now imagine your ears are inhaling and exhaling. Yes, your ears are inhaling and exhaling. 

• Perhaps thoughts that you don’t need just filter out.
• Maybe you notice more clarity in your mind,
• Maybe this makes you giggle, It’s all play and fun.

Bring your attention down to your hands and your fingertips notice your left hand and then notice your right hand and notice how both of your hands are breathing through your fingertips.

You may start to feel warmness and heaviness around your hands as well.

You’re breathing through your fingertips.

You’re inhaling and exhaling out your ears and bringing your attention down to your feet and your toes.

Just imagine if you had a rush of grounding, amazing, refreshing air that just comes in from your toes.

Your whole body is like a magnet.

Now notice your heart.

Notice that every beat of that oxygenated blood is just breathing itself.

You’ll notice that your heart is opening up and you’re breathing through your heart. In and out of your heart.

You might even want to take a few big, deep breaths in and out just to feel the wonderful effects of your heart breathing.

• The heart is a very strong magnet of electricity and it draws things to you.
• It draws wonderful resources to you.
• It connects you to everybody outside of you.

The more you start to breathe your body through your heart, through your fingers and toes, and inhale and exhale through your ears, you’re going to notice how wonderful you feel. You may even feel silly, but does that matter? Nah.

Do this for a better experience

Become more mindful.

• When you focus on your ears, focus on your ears.
• When you notice your breathing going in and out and your whole body breathing, notice your whole body moving in and out.
• Notice your heart and the feel of it breathing. Breathing in all that gratitude. 
• Just really go into your body and notice and see, with that childlike wonder, just how fun this would feel if you could really do it.

Question for you

As you bask in the comforting effects of this breathing exercise, I want you to ask yourself this one question.

“What can I learn from this?”

Take some time to think about that.

Once you receive your answer, you can take a big, deep breath in and exhale.

Open your eyes and go about the day feeling calm and refreshed in every way. 

• This technique is good for you if you’re in a stuffy meeting.
• You’re a bored passenger in a car and the driver won’t stop talking
• You hate those weird breathing techniques- one of your friends told you to listen. Happens often. 
• You wake up wanting to feel more refreshed and settled, so you can start your day right.
• You want to feel more connected.
• You want to have fun AND reduce stress and your anxious mind!

What is your reason for listening? Please share!

Remember, you have a powerful mind and it can be changed to support the life you want to live. In the meantime, enjoy your day, one minute at a time.

Hugs, Cheryl 

 

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Why is breathing always used for mindfulness?
• Breathe Video and audio for relaxation
• Work with Cheryl