Tag: breathe

Don’t hold your breath

annebower

Throughout tai chi and qigong we want to breathe into the movements. There is no absolute method for this; each person discovers the breathing patterns that work best for their own body. We often find ourselves breathing out when it feels like we’re delivering energy or force with the particular movement–but that’s not a rule.

When anxious or uncertain, people often end up holding their breath. I really don’t know why that happens, but if it occurs to you, do try and let go. Holding back on your breathing increases tension–who needs that? For me, if I have a backache or I get myself in a state about politics or a sick friend or something else, just sitting, eyes closed, hands on belly, and breathing slowly and quietly brings me back to a state where thoughts and feelings can flow. I may not have a solution for whatever problem has been bothering me, but now I can accept that I have no solution!

Some of you may be adept at meditating–using a seated or standing form. Perhaps you have a chant or mantra that you say repeatedly (outloud or inwardly) as you breathe quietly. Perhaps you have special items you look at–lovely flowers or a picture or a statue. There are so many ways we can find a breathing practice that brings us back to center and helps us become ready to face life’s quandaries with more composure and openness.

Pruning

annebower

We’ve 5 dwarf apple trees on our property and oh my, how poorly they are doing. In yesterday’s glorious sunshine and mild temperatures, and without much skill, I began pruning them, in hopes we will get some decent fruit this year. The goal for a healthy tree is one leader branch, up to 6 main side branches, and enough, but not too many smaller branches with buds that will flower and fruit.

Makes me think of what we want in ourselves, eh? A main direction, those side branches that enliven our days, and an array of budding tastes, smells, textures, sounds, and images to inspire us.

But it also makes me think of our “leader”–the person in the White House whose branches seem to wave and weave in ways that are actually harming many people around the world and here at home. You’d think the senate and house of representatives would have the guts to prune back this madness.

OK–we need to breathe, focus on community, support the groups doing the hard work of providing needed services to folks (for health care, schooling, food, etc.), and let our politicians know what we think, what we need, and what we want them to do. Stretch–do some yoga, tai chi, qigong, go on a run, write a poem, cook a good soup, keep your spirit up. I tell this to myself even as I write it to you……

How low can you go?

annebower

Those of us with a few years under our belts remember the Limbo, with everyone bending backwards trying to get under the pole and the person capable of bending furthest–without falling over– winning the game. Hawaiin music, tropical drinks of one kind or another. Lots of laughter.

These days, with all the political chaos, it sure feels like we’re in limbo and I ask myself how low will some of these politicians sink. They go down, down, down, and when they do, perhaps they feel like they’ve won, but oh man, the rest of us will be losers.

As a tai chi practitioner and teacher, it seems inappropriate for me to write about the political scene, but it simply can’t be ignored. What it can be is at least balanced by other kinds of activities: tai chi, dancing, writing, drawing, qigong, swimming, long walks in a bright snow-filled landscape or on a beach somewhere. Deep breaths. Lots of them.

Hold onto your balance and then dive back in. Decide where you can make meaningful donations of time or money. Breathe again. Read the news. Breathe. Return to tai chi….

Hold your values close and your friends closer!