Living with Intention. Living in the moment. Staying present. Mindfulness. I’ve heard these terms (gratefully) for a large part of my life, being exposed to “mindfulness” as a kid without having ANY inkling that I was being introduced to something that would become such a huge part of my life. The challenge is always staying with that intention. Or rather, staying present. Staying in the moment. Living like a true Yogi, or Buddhist, Monk…..and I’m not versed enough in world religions to pull examples from all of the like minded religions, but there are “figures” in all of them that exude the principles of peace of mind, quietness of the mind, stillness within, human kindness, and it all relates to our connection with the breath. Some call Spirit, Lifeforce, or the breath that sustains life. Our respiration, where we inspire, expire, and conspire, when we do it with another…..or more.

The mind always wanders and the subconscious mind is constantly working, running the nervous system and keeping our physical body in equilibrium, doing so with what fuel it can absorb from the cells circulating through the bloodstream, running the gamut of processes that happen with each heartbeat, and ultimately each breath. That chemistry is affected by the pace at which we are breathing. Breathing in a faster, uncontrolled rhythm creates an unstable and erratic response in the nervous system, but breathing in a controlled, relaxed rhythm results in a calmer, more positive functional breath. Breath coherence. The good news is, this whole process is programmable. The subconscious is programmable. Or reprogrammable, which is what is usually needed after being fueled for years by the stressful, chaotic life that most are thrust into. But, like anything else, it takes retraining, which takes practice. And to get better at anything, practice with discipline and diligence is key.

When I was first introduced to meditation, I laughed….and was admittedly frustrated. I thought, ain’t no way my mind will shut up enough to enjoy (or reach) meditation. I have said many times, I was never truly able to meditate, until I discovered Soma Breath. The uniqueness being that we work with scientifically crafted music rhythms, that depending on their specific bpm can enhance different qualities (creativity, relaxation, energy), and the additional tools of a guided breath count and guided visualization and imagery, this whole process can elevate any experience in which you focus your intention. My breathwork practice, which has been (nearly) daily for the past 5 years has helped me stay much more grounded and present in my daily life, helped me better deal with bouts of anxiety and stress, enabled me to reach work goals, meet deadlines more gracefully, and unleash and fuel creativity like I haven’t in my life before.

In the beginning there were (and still are!) many times I didn’t see or feel what I wanted (expected), but every time I gain something, whether it was a great insight or, more simply, stress relief and relaxation. The draw is the many/multiple times I have reached high states of bliss, high states of clarity, relieved pain and anxiety, and actually manifest shit I put into the universe via intention and sustained action, fueled by my breath. Additionally (I’ve shared many times prior), it has helped me halt an autoimmune disease I was diagnosed with in 2017, which can be read about in previous blog posts. The secret for me has been to surrender my ego and allow mistakes and pain to transform into fuel, or power. It IS powerful stuff, so much so, that I am cautious about where I focus my energy, as I have experienced the shifts I am able to create with my moods, my mind, my emotions, my surroundings, my nutrition and finally my breath. They are all connected and they can fuel you or stop you dead in your tracks. It IS in your power to control, and it might be the ONLY thing we can truly control.

Developing a relationship with the breath will lead to better health, a better state of mind, enhanced relationships in your life, your relationship with nature and the planet, and humanity. We live on the greatest gift life has to offer, so using every aspect is our birthright, our nature, our magic, our home. So stop, look around, observe and take it in. Stay here as often and for as long as you will.

Namaste, Cindy

“In this moment, lounging on a chair near the water, I feel the warmth of the Sun on my skin, I listen to the birds chirping, singing, calling….I feel the cool light breeze refreshing my mind and body. I notice the whitenoise of a tv in the background and the distant chatter of nearby neighbors. I notice the the aircrafts constantly criss-crossing the sky, I hear sirens in the distance, making their way through town. I hear the occasional clatter of a ladder, a door or hammer in the distance. A train horn. Life is moving in all different directions, always, of which most I have no control. Dogs are barking, the leaves of the tree are whispering…..and the church-bell-like sounds of the windchimes being strummed by the breeze. I have received a very deep sense of gratitude for the beauty of today…..and am embodying and embracing every healing and nourishing moment of it…..feeling the breeze, the warmth of the sun, hearing the birds sing, and all the distant music. I am smiling and sitting back, closing my eyes and drawing in the light and energy of the elements that abound.“