The lungs are a powerful portal into our nervous system offering the opportunity for every breath to be an immediately applicable tool to build resilience as we align and attune the body as a barometer – sensing, flowing and adjusting to the conditions of the moment.
Our nervous system’s ability to adapt to change, restore calm and recover quickly from difficulty – literally springing back into a sense of homeostasis, is resilience building.
With so many life events beyond our control, embodying breathing practices to build resilience and restore homeostasis throughout our nervous system is a necessary tool required to respond from a calm body and clear mind-space.
Tree branches are often seen as a metaphor for our lungs illustrating the important exchange of nutrients and creation of life force happening in this part of our body through our breath.
What if we viewed our lungs as branches of a tree and our breath as an important resource creating calm and clarity in our inner environment to consciously navigate and respond to our outer environment?
Take a few minutes today to breathe and be your favorite tree in the blog practice below. See what you notice with this short Body Current visualization breathing practice to restore homeostasis, build resilience and regulate your very own nervous system.
SIMPLE & SHORT PRACTICE:
Take 1-7 minutes to enjoy this practice. Do not underestimate the power and shifts that come through with each breath. It has been found to take up to 7 minutes to stimulate a relaxation response in our autonomic nervous system. You can build up to 7 minutes if you wish.
1) Begin by imagining, feeling, sensing in some way your favorite Tree being living as your lungs breathing each breath into your body. Tree branches and leaves as your bronchioles exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide as cellular respiration. Notice the colors of the leaves, texture of the trunk and essence of your breath.
2) Smooth out your breath with a slow exhale out rounded lips for a count of 6-8.
3) Inhale slow and smooth through your nose for a 6-8 count. Repeat this breathing pattern for 2-4 rounds to settle into the practice with a rhythmic breath.
4) Continue slow smooth natural full body breaths in and out of your nose.
5) As you imagine your lungs as the branches of your favorite tree, inhale becoming aware of your lungs expanding through the limbs of your tree as you consciously and fully receive your breath.
With each slow smooth exhale, release each breath like a falling leaf gently surrendering and completely releasing out of your lungs any sensations of grief, currents of emotions or frequencies of feelings and stored memories from the past or fears of the future you are ready to release.
Become aware of returning to your stable lead energy in the slight pause between breaths. Repeat for several rounds of breath.
6) You may wish to self-affirm silently on each exhale, “I am releasing….(whatever you are releasing in the moment as a leaf falling from your favorite tree) ”
And remember on each inhale “I am returning to my authentic and abiding true nature.”, as you continue this conscious breathing practice.
7) When you feel complete, notice what is arising through your awareness. What shifts are you sensing and experiencing in your body, brain and breath?
You can enjoy this practice daily to maintain calm and wellbeing. You can also use this practice as a tool when you are in need of releasing a stressful or traumatic experience in the moment and return to a place of homeostasis.
Enjoy and Keep in Touch!
Shanti
Shanti Medina,
Shanti Medina is a holistic wellness coach based in Boulder, CO USA offering a diverse range of services including divine feminine empowerment circles, personal wellness sessions, spirit divination readings and spiritual retreats around the globe. Whether you are seeking guidance, transformation, or a deeper connection with yourself and others, each session is catered to your specific needs. Through in-person and online sessions and community gatherings, Shanti offers a safe and nurturing space for healing, growth, and self-discovery to experience your divine power, true passion and soul purpose.
She founded her Body Current® wellness modality over 14 years ago with healing protocols and wisdom practices supporting clients in regulating their own vagus nerve as a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience. She weaves her certifications in Radiant Lotus Women’s Qigong, Yoga Therapy, Clinical Herbalism with advanced trainings in Medical Zang Fu Gong Qigong and Wuji Hundun Qigong, Shamanic Healing. She has facilitated her Body Current curriculum in a variety of 500HR Yoga Teacher Trainings and as faculty at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health as well as the Neurosculpting Institute and StarHouse Sacred Arts certification program.
For over 20 years, Shanti has been gathering women together in sacred circles. Her Stirring the Shakti women’s retreats and Medicine Women sisterhood circles empower women to join together in sisterhood, root into their wisdom, remember their abiding true nature and return to their power, passion and purpose.
You can find out more about Shanti, learn about upcoming global retreats and schedule a private session in person or via Zoom at Schedule With Shanti or www.ScottandShanti.com.
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