take a moment
to notice the warmth of your
exhalation
---
slow down to reflect
on the subtle pause between your
in and out breaths
---
late at night
when all is quite in my bed
my heart valve clicks
This is in gracious response to One Deep Breath, this week's prompt is "Breath / Breathing". I have returned to my pranayama (breath work) practice since attending class with my wonderful yoga teacher. I find it both soothing and invigorating. The breath can teach us so much about ourselves. My last haiku is connected to the first two in that for the longest time, I had difficulty with my pranayama practice because I would get scared when I'd focus on the clicking of my mechanical heart valve. It sounds silly, because it's a good thing it is making a noise- as I am alive and my heart is pumping! But, I have slowly come to terms with my fears around my heart surgeries. Be still and watch your breath....
17 comments:
One thing I owe my high school choir teacher is this: she taught me how to breather correctly, and she must have done a darn good job of it too, because I am to this day an abdomen breather (as opposed to a tight upper chest breathe). I am in my thirties now, and still hold that technique as a part of me- it's become an unconscious thing.
One thing that's fun is to lay my head on my dog and try to match my breathing to hers- she always breathes faster than I do, but she breathes with her tummy too. A lot of people breathe wrong, perhaps it's just a stress thing
Good post. I like-a-the-poem-a.
Beautiful haiku Zapped. I find it moving how your story gives meaning to your words.
Thank you for dropping by Countrysketches. I've been visiting around Get Zen and I like it. You always write about things that have real meaning.
Really lovely haiku. I guess we all need to slow down and recognise our breathing and that we are alive, when most of us run around with barely time to catch our breathe.
What a wonderful post! Thank you for reminding us just how important our breath is... and its that subtle pause in between our inhales and exhales where we can learn so much about ourselves.
What an inspirational story you have shared with us about your heart operations as well...
I'm so glad I read this today - I have very shallow breathing and know it's bad for me. I sometimes catch myself holding my breath! I need to start yoga again. Thanks for this post!!!!!!!!!!!!
This really relaxed my mind, thanks for sharing I enjoyed the read!
I really like this poem- as I don't like to pay attention to my breathing. Meditation actually scares me because I can't stop my mind from racing through all of the problems and worries that I have, it made me feel worse as opposed to better. Maybe I should pick it up again...?
I'm glad your heart is still ticking, too :) Maybe it just needed a tune up.
lp- you're a lucky one ;) Some teachers stay with us...what fun you have with your dog!
brian- that's sweet.
Pequete- welcome, do enjoy, that is my intent.
kamsin- this is so true and hard to do...
regina- you said it, those pauses are filled with wisdom.
barbara- it's a joy to have you here. Yes, to yoga!
1blkquill- that's cool!
shrig- My teachers have said meditation or pranayama can be too intense if we are dealing with heavy stuff, and could be counter-productive. Give it a try and see if you're up for it. Yep, it's ticking... :)
I felt so relaxed after reading these. Soothing haikus.
Yes, these are very relaxing!
Breathing prperly is so important and you captured that beautifully.
I just wrote a comment and LOST it. Argh!
The gist of it was:
I don't know how hearing a clicking valve would make me feel, but maybe you could actually meditate on that sound. Realizing that it's much like your breath - a life-giving flow, an essential in-and-out - and really listening to it might make it less scary.
Easy for me to say, I know...
very wise haiku. Thanks for sharing your story too...
Your last one was very powerful. It made me think of all the things your senses tune to when its late, quiet and you are alone. Sometimes I think I can even hear my mind processing my thoughts.
Late at night in bed, those thoughts come so easily. Thanks for sharing this bit about what makes you unique...
Thank you for sharing your story. The haiku is stunning.
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