by Aly Shannon, LMT

Imagine a wave. 

As it pulls from shore, you count the seconds that go by.  

One…two…three…four…five. 

A new wave rushes onto the sand as it crashes in front of you, and you count another five seconds. The beauty of the scenery around you makes you lose your breath for a moment. You are suddenly struck by a current of salty ocean breeze and you smile as you breathe in a long, deep breath. The crisp air travels to your lungs and deep into your diaphragm. Time slows, and you can hear your heartbeat. You take the time to remember that this moment is free. As you watch the waves come and go, you allow your breath to synchronize with the pace of the waves flowing. One…two…three…four…five.

Where are you reading this right now? Perhaps, you are sitting in front of your desktop at work or looking down at your phone while on-the-go. Most of us are on-the-go more often than we are at rest. It’s easy to take the little things for granted when our lives become cluttered with a list of to-dos. Some of the most simple things, we forget to do entirely. When was the last time you took a deep breath? Some might be encouraged to share that they take deep breaths first thing in the morning, and others possibly reluctant to admit they aren’t sure what taking a deep breath entails. 

Taking a deep breath simply means inhaling by filling your lungs to capacity, and letting your diaphragm contract. On a day to day basis, deep breathing can be used as a tool for a variety of ailments such as reducing stress levels, stabilizing blood pressure, increasing lung strength, and improving oxygen levels throughout the body. Deep breathing methods have been created to undergo fantastic feats and might even be a contributing factor towards curing diseases. 

At the very least, taking a deep breath simply feels good.

The constant buzz of daily life will continue to hum its tune. In the waking of our most raw experiences, we might not be prepared for emotions we as humans are fated to face. Through heartbreak, through grief, through pain, and sadness, we walk through it all, with or without support of those around us. Through it all, it is most important to remember how we breathe through these changes. Breath can be medicine.

In September of 2019, a Danish artist named Jeppe Heins launched a project for the United Nations Climate Action Summit, called Breathe With Me. His efforts were to help others create an awareness of the breath and how vital clean air is for humanity. In an article published by The Art Newspaper, Heins says, “We’re all inhaling the same world, so maybe taking two seconds to sit and think can inspire you and change your thoughts and perhaps change the world.”

Imagine a wave. 

As it pulls from shore, you count the seconds that go by. 

Time slows, and you can hear your heartbeat. You take the time to remember that this moment is free. One…two…three…four…five.