My yoga practice is such a saving grace, even though there still is so much I can’t do. (Side note – I REALLLY should have filmed my handstand when I could do one. I don’t know when/if I’ll ever be able to hold myself up not against the wall again!)
It saves my body. It saves my spirit. It saves my mind.
Especially today when the instructor reminded us to settle on the exhale. To settle our bodies. To settle our minds.
Settle on the exhale.
I am playing with staying even more present, even more grounded, even more in my body. It is feeling great. And that simple reminder from the instructor this morning brought me back to it again.
Settle on the exhale.
Settle and feel my feet on the ground. Settle and allow my mind to silence and calm. Settle and relax the tension in my shoulders, the tautness in my brain, the tightness in my gut.
Settle on the exhale.
It’s so easy to go on autopilot and not notice that I’m not noticing. When I exhale and settle, I pay more attention to where…and how…and who I am.
I can feel into me and calm myself. I can let go (again) of my trying and effort. I can remember that right here, right now, I am completely okay.
And let that settle me.
Settle on the exhale lightens my mood and lifts my spirits. I feel the corners of my mouth beginning to creep upwards toward a smile. I feel myself soothe even though I didn’t know I needed to be soothed.
Settle on the exhale.
May you breathe deep and full, and may you settle your body and mind on the exhale.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, and please share this post with others if it resonates with you!
Photo by Chris Thompson on unsplash
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