Let's Give Your Breath A Call!

In this episode we’re once again going to practice mindfulness of breathing and apply the important phone call metaphor we talked about in a previous episode. The basic overview for this practice is simple: * Start a conversation with your breath. * As distractions try to interrupt that conversation, acknowledge them and stay with your breath, “Hey, I’m having an important conversation, let’s talk later.” * If you notice you’ve completely “dropped the call” or “hung up” your breath, just gently and kindly reconnect with your breath. Disclaimer: If you’re driving or doing something that requires your attention, please come back to the practice later. As always, please practice responsibly. If you want to read the meditation… Go ahead and find a comfortable position for your body. You can keep you eyes open or gently close them, if that feels good. Bring your awareness to your breath, start that curious and kind conversation. Notice your inhales and exhales gently. If it helps you focus, you can think to yourself, “I am breathing in” as you inhale, and “I am breathing out” as you exhale. Or simply, “In” and “Out.” You can also count your inhales and exhales. Converse with your breath in whatever way works best for you. If your mind wanders — you drop your call with your breath — just gently bring your attention back to your breath — reconnect the call — and continue the conversation. As you continue the conversation with your breath, start to notice the qualities of each inhale and exhale. Again, you can narrate what you notice. This might sound like, “I am breathing in (or out) a long breath…a short breath…a slow breath…a deep breath.” Or just “short inhale,” “long exhale,” “slow breath,” “deep breath,” etc. Notice what kind of conversation you’re having with your breath. Again, if your mind wanders — you drop your call with your breath — just gently bring your attention back to your breath — reconnect the call — and continue the conversation, giving your inhales and exhales simple descriptions. And finally, I invite you to expand your awareness a bit and notice your breathing as a whole body experience. Notice how your body moves as you breathe. Again, in your mind you can narrate this experience to help you focus and notice even more. This might sound like, “I feel my chest expanding…belly rising/falling…body breathing.” Perhaps, as you’ve been practicing focusing on and noticing your breath, you’ve notice your body is a bit calmer and more relaxed. Our breath tends to effect our body in that way. Notice any increased sense of calmness you’re experiencing. Again, if your mind wanders — you drop your call with your breath — just gently bring your attention back to your breath — reconnect the call — and continue the conversation, noticing your whole body breathing. We’re going to end our mindfulness of breathing practice. As you feel ready, you can gently open your eyes if they were closed. Congratulations. You just practiced mindfulness of breathing. You had a nice conversation with your breath. Great job! Thank you so much for joining me! If you found this content helpful and inspiring, I’d be honored if you’d leave a comment, share it with your actor pals, and check out my offerings below. Thanks! Get Out of Your Head and Rock Your Next Audition 🎧 I’ve created a free guided meditation to help you get out of your head and into your character so that you can rock your next audition. It’s going to help you calm your nerves, let go of distracting thoughts — How can I book this? 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I’ve worked in TV, film, commercials, and produced my own award-winning web series. 🧠 I’ve been a life coach for 5 years, specializing in mindfulness and neurolinguistic programming and helping people become more aware and focused on making positive changes in their lives. 💖 I blend lived experience with powerful, proven coaching tools. 🎢 Let’s get you feeling resilient, empowered, focused, playful, relaxed, confident, and riding the acting career roller coaster without throwing up! 🤗 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thealignedactor.substack.com