Loving the lungs
What a week, what a month, what a year, already.
With a whole host of systemic and emotional external events that are impacting us one way or another around the world at the moment - events that create an internal emotional response and trigger our nervous systems to be in constant ‘high alert’ - it’s a practice, and a delicate balance for all of us, to stay informed and aware (choose your information sources wisely!) and centred, grounded and in mind and body.
I was pushed into staying in mind and body this week as I developed a cold over the Lunar New Year which lasted a few days, took me to the doctors (just to be sure) and now recovered from.
Being sick just as the panic about the Coronavirus was/is in full throttle, forced me to feel into two things; one - I had to just surrender to it, let go of any anxiousness, and just rest my body (definitely had to just be!), two - feeling really thankful for my lungs.
As I started to get my energy back again, I did some gentle stretching and some deliberate breathing into the chest and lungs. Bringing awareness to and feeling the energy of the breath in that part of my body was really powerful, really nourishing and self-resourcing.
You can do this yourself a few ways:
Clasping your hands together behind your head (opening your chest area) and breathing deeply into your chest for 5-10 breaths.
Placing one hand on your chest, the other hand on top and breathing in deeply for 5-10 breaths, feeling your chest rise and fall with your breath.
Lying on your side on the floor with a bolster, pillow or cushion underneath your rib (making sure you’re not lifted up too high that your head cannot rest easily on the floor) and breathing into your external out-stretched rib, lung and chest area. Turn around and do the same on the other side for 5-10 breaths.
Ps. you can do them now, especially when you're feeling well.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation says this about the lungs -
“The Lung’s major functions include maintaining healthy immune defences against pathogens, as well as circulating Qi and fluids throughout the body. Emotionally and physically, the Lung (along with its organ partner, the Large Intestine), is responsible for helping you “let go” of whatever you don’t need, from life experiences to emotions to actual metabolic by-products.”
Many of you will be in positions that are responsible for others and are being looked at yourself for guidance, support or clarity...which sometimes means you get lost in the needs of others over your own. Make sure you're looking after yourself, breathing deeply and loving your lungs as they support us fully in navigating these complex times.