Breathe in to expand your mind, breathe in to expand your body, breathe in to expand your view. — Stephanie Jeon, Yoga Master.
No that’s not me in the picture, not even close.
Every day of our lives we learn more. We expand our knowledge as easily as we breathe in and out. Since I was in the tenth grade my body has been expanding, not a good idea anymore according to my doctors. But what about expanding my view?
I’ve known people whose view seems to narrow with each passing year. They become more close-minded it seems with every breath they take. Things aren’t the way they used to be, their circle of friends narrows, and their world is no longer full of adventure and exploration. These people aren’t very much fun to be around.
I thought this morning about this inconsistency. We expand our mind with every breath we take, whether we choose to do so. This type of breathing occurs when our body is at rest. It is slow and natural. When my instructor says breathe to expand my body she means deep Yoga breathing from the stomach. It takes effort and concentration, but it brings wonderful health benefits by expanding my lungs and forcing out used up air and other impurities.
The breath that expands my view is analogous to the times where I am stretched to the max and unconsciously I begin to hold my breath. Much like my friends who refuse to expand their viewpoint. I must be reminded to breathe, but when I do my body and mind relax. When we breathe to expand our view, we open ourselves up to the impossible. In Yoga, the impossible is a position I didn’t believe I could reach. In life, exposure to the impossible opens me to a world as large as the universe itself. All the latter requires is that I breathe and let go of the fear that I won’t succeed.
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