A yoga teacher I know remarked that for the first 3 years she practiced yoga she had little interest in pranayama, the breath aspect, and that she felt uncomfortable with the techniques. Then one day when her back hurt and she couldn’t do her ordinary moves, she discovered that breathing meditations elped. Lying on her back, taking ibuprofen, and humiliated, she found a new world opening up to her. Each breath massaged her spine and rejuvenated her. She did not have to force anything; rather, she finally surrendered to her natural instinct to breathe and found herself letting go as never before in her adult life.
Prior to getting into yoga, this friend had gone through a difficult divorce and had called upon her willpower to help her forge a new life. Even after yoga had become a sacred refuge for her, she was unable to relax and truly let go. Striving, exercising her will, was what had saved her. Then that day, feeling how the breath was massaging her belly, her heart, the front of her spine, she relented. Now she teaches breath techniques enthusiastically, yet she knows from experience that it may take her students years to appreciate them fully.
Another time I was sitting with a wine merchant and I had him sniff the air, not so much for scent but just in appreciation—as the carrier for all the wonderful smells he had ever smelled. He instantly got what breath awareness is about and went into deep meditation, really enjoying himself.
One of the things students have taught me over the years is that there is no hierarchical organization to talent or intimacy with life. Beginners often know more than experts, and experts are often at their best when they come around to being beginners again.
If you want to meditate with breath, start with what you know. Everyone has something they do well, whether it is carpentry, keeping babies happy, or quickly sizing up a roomful of people. If you really know how to enjoy a freshly baked cookie, a glass of fine wine, or the scent of hay, then use that as a gateway into breath awareness. Life tends to specialize us. Our senses become shaped by what we do. But humans are not ants. We were not born to be specialized. We ache to explore and see life afresh. This possibility exists for you in every breath.
THE GIFT OF BREATH: Virtual Workshops With Lorin and Camille
Camille Maurine and Lorin Roche will be teaching two virtual workshops on breath in meditation on October 3rd and 4th (each class is 2 hours). Join us on either day - we would love to meditate with you. Early bird price (until Sep. 25th) is just $35 for each class.
