Breath You
Posted by Shelli Altopp Miller at 7/28/2009 6:49 PM 
Categories: Shelli Altopp Miller, Recreation
Tags: Spirituality
Categories: Shelli Altopp Miller, Recreation
Tags: Spirituality
I have a black fleece shirt I bought in Japan that I've always considered edgy and rockin'. It has silver grommets along the shoulder seams and the words "Breath You" emblazoned in shiny silver letters across the chest. It's funny to watch people try and figure out what it means. Maybe it was supposed to say "Bless You", but after yoga class last night, I've determined a deeper layer of meaning there.
Sitting in a comfortable position, the yogi had us focus on our breathing by counting each breath up to ten. The first breath in was "one", out was "two", next in was "three", out was "four", and so on. After ten, we started over with one. We did this exercise for about five minutes. Next, he said in a voice that sounded like liquid calm, instead of counting, notice the pause between the in and out breaths. We weren't to change the rhythm in any way; We were only to be mindful of the pause. The next day, I'm still focused on that in-between space.
The pause between the in breath and out breath, like the halfway point between giving and receiving, action and reaction, up and down, striving and attaining, is both fulfilled and expectant. Maybe it's because my kids are visiting their grandparents, but I feel like I'm in a pause of sorts: The house is quiet, the days seem longer in a good way, I'm able to get my thoughts together and tick off the to-do list, yet I miss them and look forward to their return.
If you think about it, life mimics breath; It is full of pauses, and that is good. I love the point just after the rain but before the sun is full on. I just finished reading a series and am mentally processing that story while contemplating what book to read next, or if I'd better use the time writing. I'm in a literary pause. What about that exquisite place between hunger and being stuffed? On the calendar - and more importantly, in advertisements and stores - we are between two holidays: The 4th of July and the holiday known as "Back to School". Sundays give me a chance to catch my breath during the week. Where do you find your pause?
My "Breath You" shirt is a salute to the beauty, the being, the breath of others, much like the word "Namaste" we say at the end of yoga class. It's my hope that whenever I wear it, the bold, luminous letters will inspire onlookers to find the pause, to be both fulfilled and expectant.
Sitting in a comfortable position, the yogi had us focus on our breathing by counting each breath up to ten. The first breath in was "one", out was "two", next in was "three", out was "four", and so on. After ten, we started over with one. We did this exercise for about five minutes. Next, he said in a voice that sounded like liquid calm, instead of counting, notice the pause between the in and out breaths. We weren't to change the rhythm in any way; We were only to be mindful of the pause. The next day, I'm still focused on that in-between space.
The pause between the in breath and out breath, like the halfway point between giving and receiving, action and reaction, up and down, striving and attaining, is both fulfilled and expectant. Maybe it's because my kids are visiting their grandparents, but I feel like I'm in a pause of sorts: The house is quiet, the days seem longer in a good way, I'm able to get my thoughts together and tick off the to-do list, yet I miss them and look forward to their return.
If you think about it, life mimics breath; It is full of pauses, and that is good. I love the point just after the rain but before the sun is full on. I just finished reading a series and am mentally processing that story while contemplating what book to read next, or if I'd better use the time writing. I'm in a literary pause. What about that exquisite place between hunger and being stuffed? On the calendar - and more importantly, in advertisements and stores - we are between two holidays: The 4th of July and the holiday known as "Back to School". Sundays give me a chance to catch my breath during the week. Where do you find your pause?
My "Breath You" shirt is a salute to the beauty, the being, the breath of others, much like the word "Namaste" we say at the end of yoga class. It's my hope that whenever I wear it, the bold, luminous letters will inspire onlookers to find the pause, to be both fulfilled and expectant.
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