Don’t Hold Your Breath…Breathe

I ran track my freshman and sophomore year of high school. I remember one day in the smoldering Texas heat my face was red, and I sat panting on the ground about to pass out after practice. My coach watched me closely during my run, approached me and asked, “Did I see you holding your breath while you were running? Are you doing this?” He breathed in and out of his nose quickly as if he were delivering a baby. I answered, “Um, I don’t know? I don’t think so. I guess I hold my breath a bit.” Shocked he responded, “Hold your breath? You’re going to fall out if you keep running and holding your breath like that…you need to breath, it's crucial.” I honestly didn’t even realize that I was holding my breath until then. In excitement, I focused on running quickly, and that’s how I always did it, as if exhalation would hinder my legs. I was never taught to breath, which sounds like a silly thing to say out loud.  

Nowadays, I still hold my breath when I am overwhelmed or “running” late. Once more, I do it unconsciously, as if exhalation will hinder me. Therefore, I try to focus on my mindfulness by consciously breathing during my walks, meditation and prayers. My go to meditation technique is to take a deep breath in through one nose for 5 seconds (the hard part), then out through the other nose for 7 seconds. I do this 10 times. Afterwards, I put my prayer hands together, sit and breath, then pray. I start by thanking God for at least three things from the day before that I am grateful for (no matter how small), then continue with my prayer. Like my coach once said, I don’t want to fall out for not breathing.  

When was the last time you focused on your breathing? Are you holding your breath without realizing it? Walks, meditation and prayer are great ways to consciously use your breath to be mindful and present.

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