How Are You Breathing Today?

Anyone else struggling with answering when some asks, “how are you doing today"? It feels like this question has become a loaded one in the tumultuous year of 2020.

How I’m feeling these days changes moment to moment and consists of a mixed bag of: feeling fine and not fine, happy and really sad, joyful yet stressed, calm but confused. I can’t figure out a way to coherently summarize all that I’m feeling so instead, I respond with: “eh, I’m ok”.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Being aware of our feelings can be helpful when working through emotions. But lately for me, when presented with “how are you doing today?”, I sometimes feel overwhelmed trying to respond.

Instead, what if we changed things up on how we check in with ourselves and one another by asking: “how are you breathing today?”

The breath gives us incredible insight into how our nervous system is functioning, what mood and emotions are passing through, and how the mind is operating. I’ve had the wonderful fortune to practice with Srivatsa Ramaswami, who would say, "the breath and mind should be very good friends." I love that.

By asking how we're breathing, we also get to find our answer through the body's inner wisdom, and not just from the mind trying to sort through the diverse emotions to express the moment. It’s like the breath is saying to the mind, “Mind, my dear friend (see above), why don’t you just rest for a moment; I’ll handle this one.”

Give it a try. During your next meeting, class, play date, over coffee or dinner, ask, “hey friend, how are you breathing today?”

Lucky us, we also have the teachings and wisdom within yoga and mindfulness to carve out time in our day to notice how we’re breathing, moving, and feeling all the feels. Hope to share some breaths, movement, curiosity and smiles with you on the mat soon!

Happy breathing!
MB