Each breath was slower than the one before until finally I sank into my true relaxed state. My jaw relaxed, my mind cleared, I felt fully immersed in the moment. What a gift.
Three Long and Slow Exhales
Sink deep into relaxation starting with three breaths. Exhaling long and slow is the key to relaxing breaths but it doesn’t always come naturally. Yesterday, under the rising full moon, the ocean showed me the way and I hope she can help you too.
Push play on the video, unmute to get the full effect of beach and water sounds. Begin with a big inhale, fill your lungs with air as you see the water fill the tiny cove. Exhale slowly as the water recedes. You will notice that your exhales are much longer which is very relaxing. Soon the wave will rush back in signaling your next inhale. It will repeat three times.
Yesterday the ocean taught me this lesson of slow and long exhales as I waited to take a photo of the water washing over the sand. It seemed to take forever for the wave to come. After a few cycles I realized that I was holding my breath in anticipation. With this realization the lesson was clear, the ocean was my breathing guide. As the water filled the small cove I filled my lungs with air then as the water sank back into the ocean I released the air from my lungs.
At first I couldn’t exhale that slowly and completely. After a few cycles we were in sync and I immediately felt more relaxed. But more than that I felt a truth in the breathing, like I sank into my truest state. It was such a gift and I just knew I had to share it with you. Enjoy!
Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach—waiting for a gift from the sea.
~Anne Morrow Lindbergh
What are you grateful for after three long and slow breaths?
LEARNING: One day last week someone I care about was mad at me. At first I was playing in my head all the things I could say to reassure, to make them feel better, to defend myself, to say sorry. But then I had a “What would Antonia the Grateful do?” moment and I realized that there was gratitude to be had in that very moment. So I found some. And then I found some more. Pretty soon I felt full of energy and playfulness. I was grateful for some lovely sweet solitude. Then when we did interact I wasn’t following some script I planned in my thoughts. Instead I just brought my energy and playfulness. Oh gratitude, thank you for all your forms and all your lessons.
FORGOTTEN GRATITUDE: Last week I was also grateful for so many butterflies over land and over the ocean :: Sayulita life, slow and following the natural tides of energy :: Aguas frescas in all the different forms.
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[su_note note_color=”#e7e7e7″ text_color=”#686767″ radius=”0″] My gratitude journey started in May 2011 and continues to this day. Thank you for being a part of it! A daily gratitude practice is simple. Write down three things you are grateful for each day. Download your free GratitudeGuide. My clients focus on gratitude and learn from their successes to make the positive changes they want in their lives. You can too. Call me to set up our first meeting 505.333.9336. [/su_note]