Sometimes our best tools in the challenge of discomfort, are found in a simple shift in our mindset. 

Of course, shifting our feelings and thoughts is easier said than done. Transformation isn’t a process we can approach lightly.

Honestly, it treads so close to condescending when I’m tempted to suggest, 

“oh have you tried deeply breathing, while dropping focus from this tough situation for just a moment?”

It sounds nearly ludicrous for me to suggest that somehow we might be able to put discomfort or distress out of our minds to focus on deep breaths; and even more wild to suggest that we are able to calm our central nervous system through simple (but not always easy) breathing techniques. 

It doesn’t feel compassionate to suggest deep breathing to friends or family when they’re going through difficult or challenging situations -

BUT I do know that our breath holds more power than we might understand or feel connected to.

A very important teacher to me said, “If you can change your breath you can change your mind.” Of course, again it sounds so simple -  but as with most things, it isn’t always easy to change how we experience our anger or our fear or the crushing pressure of uncertainty. It’s maybe even more difficult to find clarity and understanding within these racing thoughts.

It can be so tough to find our best inward (and outward) responses to difficulties. But the magic held in our biology is much more helpful than we may give it credit.

Human beings are generally equipped with the inherent biological ability to respond to heightened or intense situations with a system of biological responses and reactions we commonly refer to as the fight or flight response.

We can be caught off guard while unknowingly activating the complex sympathetic nervous system and all of the biological reactions connected to the fight or flight space. In the sympathetic nervous system’s responses we may experience sensations related to stress, such as an increase in adrenaline/cortisol and hormone production, quick, shallow or held breath, a noticeable increase in heart rate or sporadic, racing thoughts. 

In a direct response to all of the physiological effects of stress and discomfort, we are also equipped to activate the balancing and calming processes governed by our parasympathetic nervous system, another group of physiological responses, this time responsible for balancing and calming our bodies back to a space of homeostasis.

We can choose to activate the powerful calming responses of the parasympathetic nervous system through intentional breathing. It sounds simple, but it’s simply true. These intentional breathing practices are designed to strengthen your natural breath patterns and the muscles we use to provide essential oxygen needed for strong, effective respiration and energy production. 

On Thursday, January 10th we’re going to work together again to reflect on the themes and symbols surrounding the process and acceptance of transformation and the archetype Apocolypsis. 

Explore your own customized tools of mindfulness, meditation and body calming breathing practices. Connect deeply with your personal lineage of ancestors over the eternal symbolism of transformation.

We’ll learn together and walk step by step through a meditation and mindfulness technique designed to help burn away discomfort. 

We’ll build strength and resilience to the overwhelm that may come with our initial reactions to threats, danger, uncertainty, fear, doubt and difficulty.

I adore you and can’t wait to explore with you!

xo, Lindsay Kumari Jaya”