5 Minutes Just to Breathe

Welcome to my first audio recording! Although I can’t see clients in my office right now, I am still looking for ways to help you tap into your body and calm your nervous system. This 5-minute session is designed to be used anytime of day and can be repeated. My hope is you can download the audio onto a portable device or computer for when you need a quick reset and mindfully check-in with your body. Feel free to share with friends.

When I was about 14 or so, I was introduced to meditation and breathwork at my dance studio. I don’t think we called it by these titles, though. I recall, on those nights after a long school day followed by 4 or 5 hours of dance class, me and my fellow dancers respectfully coaxing (begging?) our teacher for a “relaxation.” As much as we all loved dance and challenging our bodies, we equally relished the opportunity to lay down, be still, and breath as she guided us through a meditation. Little did we know how learning to be still and focusing on not moving would be just as important of a skill as learning the artistry of our craft.

I have countless found memories of my time in the dance studio growing up, through college and beyond. In the studio, you are always learning about your body and challenging your mind to get out of your way to master a new skill. Recently, I find I have even more awe for the opportunity to learn about my body in stillness at a young age. Letting go and melting, releasing my weight, and controlling the tension in my body, is a vocabulary I’m grateful to have learned early in my life.

My early education doesn’t mean I can stop practicing it. I still need a reminder to settle into stillness and become aware of what tension I’m holding but don’t need. Even just five minutes can have an impact. Five minutes while I was at my dance studio gave me the energy and focus to keep going (mostly home to do homework). Five minutes today may give you the reminder that you don’t have to do everything. Five minutes today may help you remember to just be yourself. Five minutes today may help you regroup and move on.

I’m looking forward to recording more of these meditations and breathwork sessions to share with my clients. Let me know if you have any requests.