A Mindfully Musical Moment:

Information to know first:

This mindfulness activity is presented for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or mental health treatment. Participation is voluntary and at your own risk. If you feel uncomfortable, please stop. This space is not confidential. In this space, I am not acting as your therapist.

A Mindfully Musical Moment:

If you would like to do so, please find a comfortable position. You don’t have to be someplace quiet. This isn’t about creating a peaceful environment. This is simply an experiment involving breath.

Imagine a singer. Perhaps an opera singer or your favorite performer. The singer inhales; fist drawing air deep into the lowest regions of their lungs before continuing to expand. Then comes the release. Imagine a long-sustained melody carried out of the body on the slow and steady stream of air.

Now imagine you are the singer. Take a deep filling breath. Then slowly release your breath with your imagined melody. You can actually sing or imagine that you are singing as you steadily and slowly release the air. Notice how the exhale is longer than the inhale. Allow the exhale to be complete before inhaling your next breath.

What did you notice in your body as you tried this activity? Did you stop after one breath or do multiple? How do you feel now compared to how you felt before trying this? Did emotions come up? How about thoughts?

There is no right answer. Whether you loved this, thought it was okay, or hated this, all are valid experiences. Perhaps consider what your experience with this activity tells you about the relationship between your mind and your body.