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The past few weeks have been overwhelmingly turbulent. Racism in this nation, deep, systemic and multigenerational, has been made palpable through the meaningless killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery - actions of a larger collective broken consciousness.
We have held back from discussing this not because we are choosing to ignore it. Not because we have not been thinking about it, feeling it, talking about it and grieving over it. But because we don’t feel educated enough to say the right thing in response to the inequity, oppression and alienation that has been in plain sight, and yet so intimately veiled. We do not have all the answers and we realize we are not even fully aware of all the nuances surrounding this fiercely complicated subject.
What we, as individuals, as a family, and as a small business, can say with conviction, is that we are dedicated to listening, learning and doing whatever it takes to make profound change happen.
A radical awakening for humanity is necessary. This is a time for knowledge, understanding, humility, courage, speaking out and action. In our minds, bodies and spirits we must create a new paradigm.
We can all come together on a primal level. We cannot fully listen, learn, be insightful, courageous, energetically brave and bold to spark change if we are dis-eased and overwhelmed with stress.
Human beings share the gift of breath. And that gift has the power to energize us into action as well as settle us into calm. Our initiative must be guided by the latter. Imagine being able to physiologically control your reaction to stress and approach chaotic situations with focus and clarity? Imagine, on the other end of the spectrum, the ability to unearth energy from deep within - to speak out when your voice could change the trajectory of someone’s life, several lives. This power is innately ours.
Breath work for calm: Breath in and out through the nose. Inhale for a count of 4. Hold your breath for a count of 4. Exhale for a count of 8. Hold for a count of 4 before your next inhale.
Breath work for courage and action: Powerfully inhale through the nose and passively exhale through the mouth 20-30 times. On the last exhale, hold for 30 seconds. After the 30 seconds have elapsed, take a deep inhale and hold for 10-15 seconds. Repeat this 2 additional times. The second time through, hold on the exhale for 45 seconds. On the third and final round, hold on the exhale for 60 seconds.
If you need guidance through the breath practices, we are here. Gregg has been hosting stress-relieving/energizing breath work group sessions daily via Zoom. Please connect with us if you are interested in joining.