I invite you to find a comfortable position - this could be laying down, sitting, standing, moving gently or allowing yourself to be still....

Take a moment to listen to and follow a few intentional, exquisite breaths....

Then I invite you to apply some gentle pressure to your heart and experiment with this breathing rhythm - inhale for 4 counts, hold/suspend for 7, breathe out for 8 counts - this structure is provided as a way to perhaps create an opportunity to cultivate a sense of calm, restoration and recharging. Feel free to change it up in any way that feels more generative and soothing for you.

Inhale 1234

Suspend 1234567

Exhale 12345678

Inhale 1234

Suspend 1234567

Exhale 12345678

Easily release this position when and how it feels good to you....

Next, I invite you to then provide some gentle pressure to your ribcage - maybe connected to the front, sides and back to notice how our ribs can move like an accordion when we breathe.

Inhale 1234

Suspend 1234567

Exhale 12345678

Inhale 1234

Suspend 1234567

Exhale 12345678

Our breath is and always has been precious of course, and within the current crisis, it has become one of the greatest points of hardship, protection and fear.  Please use this practice anytime you feel the need to ground yourself and quiet your body and your mind to feel more prepared for the road ahead. During this time, may we cultivate increased gratitude for our families who gave us breath: our food, water, and air that keeps us all breathing; and our unimaginably exquisite planet that holds the possibility for all of us to exist, learn, love, collaborate, restore and recharge ourselves and thrive.  May we find ourselves both now and on the other side of this situation with renewed awareness of the interconnectedness of our individual and collective 'breathing' as vital for our survival as people, a society and a big, beautiful, and complex world.

Take Care...

This Take Care Card was inspired by Kristy Kuhn.  Copyright @Gina Gibney Dance, Inc. All rights reserved.