Expensive: 1 - 5 minutes
When:
- If you feel restless or anxious.
- When you realize that you are being overwhelmed.
Introduction
If you are struggling with angst Breathing can become a source of concern. These exercises can help you regulate your anxiety better.
Breathing can be considered as energy. Inhalation and exhalation each possess unique energetic qualities and are connected to the cycles found in nature. Honoring the natural rhythm of our breathing is a way to remain present with our body and experiences in the moment.Â
This is how you do the exercise
The exercise you see in the video below goes as follows:
- You work on a horizontal sheet of paperÂ
- Before you start, focus on your breathing and the sensations in your body.
- Start at the bottom of the paper by drawing an upside-down eight (a lemniscaat).
- Now make the movement larger and larger so that it can expand onto the paper. In doing so, the left and right halves move towards each other.
- The focus is not on the lemniscaat but on the space that forms between the two halves. This space symbolizes a safe place; the two overlapping halves form a safe boundary.Â
- If you wish, you can adjust the circular motion of the drawing to match your breathing.
- It may be that at first you try to do the exercise from your head. You will find that when you surrender to the process, your hands will know the form and you will be able to follow it.
- Take your time, slow down; you can close your eyes if that feels comfortable and follow the movement.
Background
This exercise was shared by Auke Smit. Auke shares tools through her social media accounts (@YouBlossom) to inspire people to use creative self-expression in their recovery. Her work is based on her personal experience of healing. complex trauma and her expertise as a visual therapist.
