Tomorrow, I will celebrate 6 years of sober living. So, I will also celebrate the ancient practice of yoga. The mind-body connection of yogic movement brought me to the breath (prana). Breathwork (pranayama) brought me to so many things, including sobriety.

The breath is the bridge between the mind and body. Whenever I feel out of touch, disconnected, I come to the breath. Slow deep inhale. Slow deep exhale. I pause and allow myself the stillness, the silence necessary to notice, to feel, and to be aware of the present moment. I bring myself back to balance with the inhale and the exhale. I bring myself the serenity to connect deeply with the breath, the prana, the life force.

Tomorrow, I will sit in silence and breathe, after reading this meditation on the healing power of the breath. Join me! Take some slow deep breaths while you continue reading.

I am sitting. I am breathing.
I may not be able to control many things, but right now I am controlling my breath.
The only things serving me right now are my body, and my breath
My body will serve me best if I pay attention to it and care for it.
My breath will serve me best if I pay attention to it and care for it.
If I treat my body well I will be rewarded with good health, strength, flexibility and balance.
If I treat my breath well I will be rewarded with good health, strength, flexibility and balance.
I deserve these things.
I breathe in and out slowly and deeply.
The air outside of me is the universe.
I breathe the universe in through my nose. The universe flows through my lungs. Through my veins.
It becomes a part of me.
I exhale, and my breath becomes a part of the universe.
We are connected, the universe and I.
The breath is a soft and silent connection to the universe.
The breath is an unspoken contract with the universe.
I will do my best to honor that contract, knowing that the higher power of the universe flows through me whenever I take the time to notice the breath.
I honor this connection, this contract, by living a life that cares for this body,
this sacred container that carries the universe around.
I am sitting. I am breathing
I may not be able to control many things, but right now I am controlling my breath.

I inhale the universal life force.
I ask the universe to grant me serenity, by sitting here peacefully.
By pausing and listening to my body and breath.
I am caring for my body and my breath.
I am connected to the universe.
Sitting and breathing in the universe.
I am sitting. I am breathing.

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On Monday 1/31 at 7pm I will be leading a yoga class dedicated to recovery, and talking about the practices that brought me to this place. You are invited to join me on Zoom.