Working with Resistance in Breathwork: A Process, Not A Destination

There is no more of a humble challenge than realizing, even after 22 years of working with the breath as a resource, that you can still feel resistance connecting to it. This is what happened to me the other day when I laid down for my own self session.  

I mean it's simple really- connect the breath in and out continuously- allowing feelings, sensations, thoughts to arise and breathe with them. I mean there are times it feels simple- and awe inspiring. But for me the other day- nope. 

Instead, as I laid down to breathe- I felt an inner wrangling sense that I wanted to control it- the experience, the breath, what might arise. 

And that inner tension made finding access to an easy breath all the more elusive. 

I'd like to say I had some deep epiphany with this and suddenly I was on the other side of it- but instead (I'll be honest) I'm still in the middle of it. 

But with this awareness, I've started to watch more where I'm holding on- to my thoughts, to my story of what “should” happen, to the aches and pains and pains in my body- to my breath. 

And guess what? This awareness has brought me more and more poignant opportunities to feel when I am feeling spacious, relaxed, surrendered and breathing full. And although these may seem to be a bit more fleeting at this time- these moments of being with that open spacious breath are there and do arise. And this juxtaposition of noticing both states is simply gold. 

I notice from this exploration, that I still still feel spacious and open at times- but that there is a strong part of me right now that doesn't want to push it, force it or bust through anything. The message came clear- “Soften…drop the shoulders…allow…the breath will come.”

Repeat- soften, drop the shoulders, allow, the breath will come. 

Breathwork is not a destination. It is an exploration through and through. How we are breathing right now and how we are respond to our breath gives us information. 

And this information can help guide us to what we need, where we need to go, what we need to know-ultimately to what is actually true for us right now. 

When we get out of the way of wanting our body or breath to be a certain way (ie. different than what it is)- we can simply be with the state of experience of breath passing through- which gives us all sorts of messages about what we need at this time. From there- we can respond.

So- right now- what are you noticing and how is your breath informing you? Perhaps it is to soften, drop the shoulders and allow- and trust- and remember that the BREATH WILL COME. Or perhaps something else-

I'd love to hear! And hope to see you soon.