Can you feel it? The slight softness in the air, the unfurling of daylight, winter has lost her hold and spring has begun (though in some places it might not feel like it yet.) In the old Celtic calendar Imbolc (these days Feb 1st though it would have been celebrated based on the moon in ancient times and not had a fixed date) was the beginning of spring. It was when Bride/Brigid/Brigit began her rule and the old winter Cailleach began her sleep (until she took over again on Samhain).
In Christian practice February 2nd is Candlemas, celebrating the presentation of Jesus at the Temple and the blessing of the candles for the year by the local priest. It is likely the festivals are linked, Candlemas growing out of the old spring traditions. Whatever you celebrate spring has arrived, though this early in the year we must take that as a matter of faith or trust, we probably cannot see the evidence of spring ourselves!
We will breathe into that newness, possibility, and wild spring energy! As always those new to the practice are most welcome. Come and experience how breathwork can become part of your own spiritual path, whatever that may be.
What is Breathwork?
For most of human history there has been an understanding that we are whole beings (or meant to be.) But in the last few hundred years Western thought divided the body, from the mind or self. This is why we have health care, and mental health care as separate fields. But we are slowly relearning just how integrated we are. Our brain (or mind) doesn’t exist in isolation and science is beginning to show us what our ancestors knew, that our gut has more to do with our mind than we could have imagined. Our vagus nerve connects nearly all our bodily systems, and we cannot address mental healthcare without addressing the rest of the body as well. Breathwork acknowledges that we cannot address our emotions, or our spirit separate from our body. They exist as one, and we can only heal as one.
Breathwork is a tool for self-discovery and healing that engages the whole person: body, mind and spirit; and it belongs to you. The breathwork used in this group is a three part active breathing meditation that helps us listen to our bodies, explore trapped emotion and allows our whole selves to come together in a way we head-centered modern people rarely experience.
Each group will involve an opening drop in practice to set an intention for your breathing practice that week and a check-in as we support each other in the group. We will then spend 30 minutes in the active breathwork portion of the work, and 10 minutes of rest and integration before coming together for the last portion of the group where we will process our experience as a community.
This is a virtual group and will meet on Zoom. If the cost is causes a hardship or barrier please email me!
We use a three part breath in this practice which consists of two inhales and an exhale. I always demonstrate the practice before we begin and will answer any questions you may have. This practice is done lying down, create a comfortable safe space for yourself. I like to have a blanket to wrap up in, and an eye pillow to rest the eyes (a folded t-shirt works great!). Create the space you need to be comfortable and supported.
Time: 4pm Pacific Time, 7pm Eastern Time