St Jude's Summary 10-6-2008

Last week we ended with the technique of bringing awareness to physical sensations and placing attention on the change in sensations throughout the body that were associated with the breath.

We are going to extend this technique of sensing the breath throughout the body by associating breath with movement.

Start by making a simple movement, lifting one arm up and lowering it. Then couple that movement to the breath. Inhale as you lift your arm and exhale as you lower it. Feel for sensations of breathing that flow into your arm as it moves. After a few repetitions pause and reflect on the experience.

Then reverse the movement and breath by inhaling as you lower your arm and exhaling as you raise it. Notice the difference between this and the last technique.

Now play around with some other movements. Use the other arm or both arms. Extend an arm as you exhale and draw it in as you inhale. As you move and breathe feel as if the breath is flowing through your limbs as you move.

When we go about our day and things happen that cause frustration or stress we often respond by restricting our breath. It is like our energy flow gets a kink in it. Our movement also becomes kinked and muscles tighten and lock up. If we make a habit of having our breath and movement flow together then we can avoid this kinking or tightening, or at least loosen it up after it happens.

Imagine a situation in which you might feel tense or frustrated. Then imagine moving through that situation flowing with your breath. Notice any changes in how you might have responded to the situation as you do this.

Play with this idea of coupling movement with breath and feeling as if the breath and body are moving together.





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