Forgetting to breathe

Forgetting to breathe

They always teach you in yoga to listen to your breath.  Let things go.  Leave the world outside.  

Today I found myself holding my breath alot.  Today's yoga class was a 1 hour and 15 minute class.  I lasted for 1 hour.  I tried very very hard to "leave the world" outside.  I did a pretty good job until I realized I was holding my breath during difficult stretches.  Those of you who practice yoga know that if you hold your breath, not only do you become light headed but you lose focus and fall. I had to stop.  I laid down and was just still.  I could not get events of the last few days out of my head.  I wasn't breathing.  In order for me to breathe, I had to leave. So I left and went home.

When bad things happen in life it seems that the best thing to do is to hold your breath and get through it. However, that's the last thing we should do.  When we lose a friend or a loved one or even go through stress at work, we tend to just want it to go away.  

"Getting through" a bad situation really means you WANT to slow down.  Think about what you are doing.  Who is around you?  Who can you talk to? Are there other people in your same predicament?  What can you learn from this situation and how are you going to make it better?  Breathing. 

I commented today that I  don't know why the death of this friend is bumming me out so much.  I lost contact with her.   I shouldn't be this upset.  I thought that I may be playing the drama queen.  I thought I may have to go to my doctor and ask for stronger meds.  I wanted to medicate the bad feelings away. Than a very wise friend told me tonight, "Dude, you're grieving.  That's normal." 

My Scooby Doo ears went up and I went "Errr?!" I didn't even think if it that way.  I just needed to stop.  Look around.  Listen.  This seed of wisdom came from a conversation with a good friend over dinner.  I called her and asked her to go out because I missed her.  I called her because I didn't want to take her for granted.  I called her because the death of friend reminded me to.  

I was glad to leave the house and hang out with a friend.  In order to breathe, I had to leave.