Breathwork

In the face of all that surrounds and concerns us — the refugee crisis, climate change, homelessness, and violence, the question can be — What should one speak of in one's work?

At times of stress and struggle, it is good to have a vision of lightness and air, so I decided to turn to what is a defining element of our existence — the breath. When we are born, we take our first breath; when we die, we breathe our last. It is unseen, and mostly silent, so we are mostly unconscious of how our life is supported by it. It is vital but, like so many aspects of life, we are unaware.

The awareness of one's breath as taught through many practices such as yoga, tai chi, and all sorts of meditation, has been found to lead to greater self-awareness and can be transformative. Perhaps as we face both difficult personal challenges and overwhelming societal issues, it may help to be aware and conscious. Our breath is a good place to begin.