Happy Spring, mes amies! I’m thrilled to join you on this blooming adventure and no better time to “grow” our breathwork practice than this season of new beginnings.
Today, March 20, we observe the vernal equinox, when the sun’s direct rays cross the Equator into the Northern Hemisphere.
Vernal translates to “new” and “fresh,” and equinox derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night).
So what does that mean? Essentially, our hours of daylight—the period of time each day between sunrise and sunset—have been growing slightly longer each day since the winter solstice in December, which is the shortest day of the year (at least in terms of light).
Even though we know that after December 21st, the days start getting steadily longer, we still see more darkness than light over the course of a day in those three months leading up to spring. The vernal equinox marks the turning point when daylight begins to win out over darkness.
Farmer’s Almanac 2023
Just as we observe the changing of seasons and all that that entails, today I simply want us to observe our breath.
That’s right … no exercise, just being and noticing. And, once you’ve observed your breath, I’d like you to notice if you instinctively try to *fix* it. It’s fine if you do; fine if you don’t. Simply take it in.
For example, yesterday I had back to back to back Fab Facials. The way my scheduler set up the appointments and the time constraints of my clients required a little bit of a hustle on my part to make it all work. Throughout the day I noticed that as I got into detailed work, I was consistently breathing through my mouth under my mask. Would be weird if I were giving a facial and breathing through my mouth in front of a client … so why was I doing it then? Was it the mask? Was it the pressure of giving each client a rejuvenating customized treatment and then being ready for the next? After the shutdowns, am I still a bit out of “optimum esthetician” shape?
Gave me pause, for sure. So, I’m gonna spend some time today pondering the why’s and wherefore’s of this specific response from my body.
And, for our breathwork today — this glorious first day of Spring — I’d like you to do your version. Simply notice when your breathing is coming in full and easy. And when it starts to shorten and feel raggedy. What is your reaction to how your breathing? How does it feel in your body? What is the situation and/or emotion around the breathing change?
Remember it’s a breathwork practice not a breathwork perfect … so really allow the naturalness of your breath and allow for gentle but keen observation.
Tomorrow we’ll do a review of what we noticed and a bloomin’ exercise.
