Soften your belly is the instruction. Wow, I didn’t realize how tight I was holding on. Mad at myself and a quick judgement come first. Ok, so I tense my stomach. Bracing myself for what I don’t know?
In mountain pose, I rest deeper into my back body. Taking the agitation away from “what’s next”. How do we learn to go with the flow and find a sense of home inside ourselves? We have the planner head butting with the spontaneous imp. Planning has helped us, right? But why take it so far? That intermittent reinforcement is strong, but something deeper knocks and waits to be heard.
You and I don’t need to be “on” all the time. But “off” doesn’t just mean a glass of wine and Netflix. Can we be “off” in the midst of daily busyness? Let your belly receive the nourishment of your breath. Right now, where you’re most constricted, breathe there. Bring your attention and fluidity and sweetness right there. Center yourself in that breathing. Visualize more space and breath in your belly than any worry or fear.
Make space around any obstacle or situation that is making you sad or frustrated or angry. Make more space in your belly than that situation or feeling.
Here I sit, breathing deeply into the waters of my belly. They settle into glassy calmness. Trust overrides my fear, and my Dad’s health issues feel more manageable. I have a dwelling place inside where fear and worry can dissipate replaced by rich, healing breath. You do, too.
Namaste, Lynn
