From Breath to Ease

I focus on my breath.

I sense my ribs moving. I hear the sound of my breath going in and out of my nose.

I have a sense of my breath filling my whole body – expanding gently into it – from the crown of my head to the tips of my fingers to the soles of my feet.

I do a quick scan of my body. I notice a little tightness in the right side of my neck. It’s a habitual, familiar place.

I also notice a slight restriction I was not aware of before in my left shoulder blade and the top of my shoulder.

I decide to scan again.

This time, as I do so, I ask myself, “Where do I notice a little ease right now?”

At the thought I sensed my body unfurl just a little bit. I hadn’t noticed the collapse in the middle of my torso until it started to undo when I asked myself this question.

I ask again, “Where do I notice a little ease now?”

I get a deep breath in response, and an unexpected awareness of ease and space in my wrists.

I ask one more time, “Where do I notice a little ease now?”

This time my elbows release a little.

What does my body want to tell me?

I think it is telling me – showing me – that it likes ease. My body likes it when I ask about ease.

So do I!  

“I am free to notice ease.”

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What do you notice when you focus on your breath? What happens when you ask yourself, “Where do I notice a little bit of ease right now?” What does the word ease mean to you?

As always, I’d love to hear from you. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Photograph © Andrea Danti / 123RF Stock Photo