Decompress, Let It Breathe

 

It starts with a breath, as all of these posts do.

A cleansing breath, not forceful, not hurried. A breath into the very centre of your soul.

But your breath is but a visitor, here to energise but not to stay. Do not hold on to your breath too long. But four long, languid seconds, long enough for your breath to make acquaintance with your flesh, your blood, before it's time to move on.

And release it, and hold with your chest empty for another few seconds. But four long, quiet beats, as your physical and mental tension goes out of your mouth and nose.

And by the time you are ready to begin the next breath, you will  have felt some of your body's and mind's tensions gone.

Have you been holding your breath all this time? Don't wait for me. Breathe, for goodness' sake.

Beat of four,
Hold for more
Show your breath
The exit door.

Outward breath
Shed your pain
Time to draw
Your breath again.

And breathe for four, hold for another four, release for four, hold for four.

Just like that. Exactly like that.

Breathe for four, hold for another four, release for four, hold for four.

Breathe for four, hold for another four, release for four, hold for four.

Breathe for four, hold for another four, release for four, hold for four.

Breathe for four, hold for another four, release for four, hold for four.

The easy repetition gives you a framework to play on, to hang your conscious thoughts on and leave them there as you explore.

Reach the edge, and leave a worry draped about a pole. Your self-consciousness goes there, atop the monkey bars.

Breathe for four, hold for another four, release for four, hold for four.

Breathe for four, hold for another four, release for four, hold for four.

Breathe for four, hold for another four, release for four, hold for four.

Breathe for four, hold for another four, release for four, hold for four.

And yes, it does feel good to keep up a rhythm like that.

Got more worries and woes to leave behind? Peel them off of you, and stick them anywhere. You don't have much left to wrap round a pole, but that's good. The framework's starting to look like a butcher bird's larder, and by now you should feel free enough to leave the last of your conscious thoughts hanging up in that one last corner.

Breathe for four, hold for another four, release for four, hold for four.

Breathe for four, hold for another four, release for four, hold for four.

Breathe for four, hold for another four, release for four, hold for four.

Breathe for four, hold for another four, release for four, hold for four.

Now play with this file while you perfect your box breathing. This gives you the perfect rhythm, right up to the abrupt ending.

The fun continues. This page will keep you feeling good.