At the end of class tonight in shavasana, we took 5 breaths together. Deep inhales, and loud exhales pushing all the air out of our lungs fast and hard.
Then we inhaled as much air as we possibly could- more air, even more air, again even more air- and then were instructed to HOLD IT.
Naturally the inclination is to let it all out. Let it out like a balloon being released and fluttering all around the room- or let it out like you’ve eaten too much and want to undo your pant buttons and let it all hang out in relaxation.
But I followed instruction and held the air- In my throat, in my chest, in my toes, in my sacrum- in all of my body I held the air.
Finally the teacher said, “now you can release it- but wait!- release it s-l-o-w-l-y, even slower than you want to- release it deliberately, patiently… And feel your body sinking as you do it”
Well- did my body ever sink! It was like I was in an elevator traveling down to the minus 100th floor.
I could feel beads of sweat traveling down my face slowly, and thoughts came and went, but the sinking feeling lingered with me for the duration of the meditation and it was amazing.
Categories:
