With the shift in seasons, and change in schedule, are you feeling like you have too much to do and are overwhelmed so that you do nothing? Are you struggling to get a breath?
Are the burdens and stresses of life manifesting physically with tension in your upper body? The pain in our upper body may indicate that there is an imbalance in our lungs since they are the underlying organ support for movement of the arms.
I would like to share an exercise from my recent workshop organ support for movement with you to help you ease your stress patterns so you can tackle your “to-do” list with ease.
Our lungs are responsible for gaseous exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen as well as the flow of Ki (energy). In addition, they hold our grief and joy.
What does this mean?
If our lungs are not functioning well for us we may feel; shortness of breath, a tightness in our chests, a limited range of motion for reaching and carrying, constriction in our thinking, a feeling of wanting to be alone and withdrawing into melancholy and depression. We may have unwittingly absorbed someone else’s worries and agreed to carry their problems energetically.
Here is a mindful movement sequence to explore.
Mindfulness is what we do when we pay attention to how we are accomplishing a task.
However you interpret the instructions below is how you proceed. There is no right or wrong to this experience, it is your experience and noticing the differences in each time you do it that is key.
Without thinking, lift your arm to the side, then lower your arm.
Now lift your arm to the side again, but this time, pay attention to the lift of your arm by leading with your fingertips as if they had beams of light shining from the tips. As you lower your arm see the beams of light shining on the floor.
Keeping the imagery of the beams of light, layer in breath awareness. Inhale filling your lungs and ribcage with air as you lift your arm to the side reaching out with your fingertips. As you exhale sense your lungs emptying and allow your arm to gently float down to your side.
Notice the difference when you just lift your arm to the side and when you lift your arm to the side initiating with your fingertips. Is there a difference?
Initiating movement in a different way enhances our approach to moving, lifting and carrying things. When we have enough oxygen we have more energy and feel better. This connectedness to ourselves informs us of our needs, so we can lighten our load and make clear decisions for our lives.
Our ability to move with ease and fluidity enhances our well-being so we can move through life with joy and optimism.
So go on, breathe in, and reach out and love your lungs!
Nadine Saxton
