“Are you breathing?” 
“Yes.”
“No, you are holding your breath.”
And so began my conversation with my spiritual teacher. We took time to take conscious breaths. We paid attention to any tension held in our bodies and sent our breath there. We relaxed into ourselves with each inhale and exhale. We allowed emotions to surface.
I realized I was holding my breath because I was feeling stuck and overwhelmed by all the minutiae in my life. I became quiet – the kind where I couldn’t find the words.
So we meditated again – deeper this time.
Towards the end of the meditation, all I could hear was my teacher repeating the words, “You matter.”
Every story allows us to learn from our breath. We hold on, we hold in, we breathe just enough to get through our day.
Yet, the power of our breath can be profound. Deep, rhythmic breathing expands the diaphragm muscle and expands the lung’s air pockets. Shallow breathing constricts.
What am I constricting in my life? And what am I expanding?
Our breath will show us. The easiest pathway to freedom is through the breath.
Are you holding your breath? Are you willing to exhale fully?
Breathe – just breathe.