Your breath is happening right now. It’s the first and last thing you do in life. Every time you return your attention to your breathing, you build your “mindfulness muscle”. Practice – Practice – Practice
Mindfulness is: “The awareness that comes from paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment and non- judgementally” – Jon Kabat Zin
Your breath is your best mindfulness teacher
Is is a mobile app that is always with you
You have circa 20,000 breaths a day…..right under your own nose!
Where in your body do you notice your breath?
Nose – Mouth- Lungs – Rib Cage – Abdomen
5/7 breathing….breath in count 5….pause, breathe out slowly count 7….do it 10 times
If you have time do 10 more and 10 more
Morning – Lunch Time- Bedtime – Anytime
Anytime you have a minute….or two or three
You are awake for 960 minutes a day (assuming eight hours sleep)
If you can spare 10 minutes every day…it’s only 1% of your waking day….
If you can’t find 1%…..think about it – and the reasons and the life you are living
It’s the out breath which helps to calm you down….like taking that shot in sport
Notice your breath entering and leaving your body
Notice the sensation in your nose
Notice the pause at the end of the in breath and out breath
Notice your rib cage expanding and contracting
Notice your lungs filling and emptying
Notice your belly rising and falling
When your mind wanders, which it will, we have 60,000 thoughts per day! – bring it back to awareness of your breath and the sensations in your body caused by your breathing
Imagine your breath; like a boat uses an anchor to stop drifting away….your breath is the anchor that stops your mind drifting from the present into the past or the future or both.
You can only be happy in the present moment…..the future is not here yet and the past is gone.
Don’t live your life looking in the rear view mirror or your crystal ball. Live now in the moment.