Use Conscious Breathing to Blossom into Spring

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.  

Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death. 

Living never wore one out so much as the effort not to live. –Anais Nin

As I write this, I’m preparing to take a spring break trip with my daughter and I know a lot of people are also doing something special for spring break. We’re all eager to get out, to welcome something new, to hopefully see glimpses of sun and color. 

But how quickly that eagerness tips into a harried feeling as I rush around getting ready to leave! I find myself caught up in my to-do list, which seems impossibly long, and I have a class to teach tonight, and when am I going to pack?  

I wonder: would it be easier to just stay home, safe in my routine?

Times of transition can be challenging and spring is certainly the most energetically intense season. 

Physically, spring brings more daylight, which means we’re not as drowsy. We may have more energy and feel more awake. The increased light also stimulates serotonin, a brain chemical that helps us feel happier. Mentally, brighter skies and time off allows us to go from work mode to vacation mode, which isn’t always as easy as we think it should be! Emotionally, we may be surprised by bursts of anger or tears or a feeling of restlessness.  

Mother Nature mirrors this intensity, giving us one day of sunshine followed by a string of rainy days. 

It can be easy to become imbalanced in these times. But even when it’s challenging it doesn't have to feel hopeless. 

The mindset and consciousness we cultivate in the spring will carry through the rest of the year so it’s important to maintain a sense of balance. But how? When moving from one thing to another, sometimes abruptly, how do we transition without losing the joy of the journey? How do we welcome each transition as a step into a new beginning?

The key is in the way we meet our breath. Breathwork is about staying connected to source, God, higher self—whatever name works for you. 

I do it by constantly practicing presence. I check in with myself and my breath countless times during the day. When I notice I’m out of whack, I stop and take time to breathe deeply.

I use WhaleBreathing to realign myself and fill my tank with oxygen. Then, even if I’m tired, I can get through whatever challenge I’m facing. I stay grounded in my body rather than becoming scattered and forgetful. 

The breath brings life back in and returns me to clarity.

Even five minutes of breathing can help, but it has to be diaphragmatic breathing. 

Try this: focus on your belly. Notice how the breath moves through your body and where it feels tight. Is it choppy or disconnected? Is there a long pause? Is it shallow? Is it too quick? Just notice it. Then intentionally deepen it. Bring it down into your belly.

If you can’t breathe deeply, meet your breath wherever it is. Don’t try to force a change. Keep observing and allow the breath to shift and change. 

You can also try holding a breath, then slowly releasing it. Eventually you’ll become aware of the circular nature of breathing. It has a rhythm and flow of its own, like music. 

Once you’ve practiced connecting to your breath, mentally go through your day and think about how many times you transition from one activity to the next. How do you meet those moments? Are you resisting or allowing? Can you bring more presence and flow into each activity?

Deva Premal is a singer who performs spiritual, meditative music using Tibetan and Sanskrit mantras. She tells a story of growing up in a household where the children were encouraged to say the word “ram” every time they touched an object. 

Ram means "stop, stand still, rest, rejoice, be pleased."

Of course, you may not choose to adopt such an intense mindfulness practice! But how you move matters. Above all, how you breathe matters. 

So rather than approaching the breath as a transition into the next moment, try to allow each breath to bring you fully into the present. This is the way to blossom.