Mindfulness Challenge #8: Breath of Joy

Stand up.  Take a breath.  Notice your feelings.  Are you feeling sad, tired, anxious because you just stood up? What other sensations are you noticing in your body?

Step your feet about hips width apart with your knees slightly bent.  

Exhale completely.  

Inhale 1/3 of your lung capacity and swing your arms up in front of your body, bringing them parallel to each other at shoulder level, with palms facing the ceiling. 

Continue inhaling to 2/3 of your lung capacity and stretch your arms out to the side like wings to shoulder level. 

Inhale to full capacity and swing your  parallel and over your head, palms facing each other. 

Open your mouth and exhale completely with an audible ha, bending the knees more deeply as you sink into a standing squat and swing your arms down and back behind you are taking a bow after an amazing performance.  

Repeat 4-5 more times.

After your last bow forward, allow your body and head to hang heavy and slowly start to roll up.  Imagine each vertebrae, one at time, rolling up until your body is in an upright position allowing your head and shoulders to be the final pieces to slowly roll back into place.

Inhale through your nostrils and exhale through your mouth.

Notice your feelings again.  Notice any sensations in your body?  Has anything shifted?  

This is hands down my favorite go-to practice when I want to shift gears or needs some help gaining the energy or confidence to take on the day.  Give a try and see what happens.  

Please visit this link to see this practice in motion.