Meditation

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I spend a LOT of time in the bath tub. I must confess, I will lay there until I'm pruned... it's my way to unwind. Somewhere in the soaking process, I imagine the "dirt" of the day washing away and floating down the drain. I emerge clean and new, ready to start again.

I'm also a big fan of Yoga and meditation. I've practiced for over eight years now, on and off, and I love it! Jewels Yoga and Fitness provides my favorite studio class. I practiced with her for over a year, and I must say, it was one of the most relaxing times in my adult life.

One of the most important things I've learned from Yoga, is the importance of breath. Breath is the sustenance of life. Meditation and Yoga teach us to become aware of our breath, to cherish it, to concentrate on it instead of the swirling tornado of worry that can take over our lives and wreak havoc on our bodies. 

Recently, I drug my mat out from the back of the closet, dusted it off, rolled it this way and that, so it will lay flat and have started practicing again. It's been a hard year, my dad passed away in March, my mom had cancer surgery, and with the holidays coming up, I can see I'm going to need some soaking and mat time.
I wanted to share with you a funny little thing I do that encompasses both bath and Yoga time. I've actually done this since I was a kid, before I even knew what meditation was.

While soaking in the bath I sink down into the water until just my ears are below the surface. I close my eyes and imagine the ocean. I let my body relax and float. Then I take a long deep breath. Because my ears are under water, the sound of my breath is magnified, I can't help but be aware of it, and concentrate on it. Then I exhale. Each breath sounds powerful under the water, like the rushing waves against the ocean shore. As my lungs fill, my chest and abdomen will float higher out of the water, the rising action opens up my chest and helps the breath reach deeper. I do this several times, imagining the waves roaring in and out. Usually it also clears my sinuses, as my nose is so close to the warm, steamy water. "It does a body good!"