A breath token is a breathing exploration that I develop for friends & clients and send out as a gift.
The Body as Vessel
The more we can experience and understand the body as a vessel for breathing, the more the breath can expand and move within it. One of the most direct ways to experience the body as a vessel is by sensing the body walls through touching, stroking and tapping. A playful way of experiencing the body walls is to experiment with objects like blankets, for example. So, let‘s try that now, rolling up a blanket and placing it around the body.
Lying on our back, we place the rolled blanket under the spine
Lying on our front, we place the rolled blanket along the midline
Lying on one side, we place the rolled blanket along the inner curve of the body
Lying on the other side we place the rolled blanket along the outer curve of the body
This can be explored further with the rolled blanket placed horizontally under the shoulders and the pelvis, or at the top of the head and the bottom of the feet etc.
What does it feel like with the extra layer of the blanket, comforting or restricting, for example? How does the weight of the body feel in the different positions? What‘s the sensation of the breath movement against the border of the blanket?
In between the different explorations let‘s stretch and roll on the floor from side to side.
Benefits I experienced:
– sensation of the shape of the body
– sensation of the midline, the spine and the length of the torso
– stability and fluidity throughout the body
– calm, regular breathing
– sensation of volume of breathing
– increased awareness of the space around me
There are surely other benefits for you to discover. If you have any questions or feedback please contact me.