Breath of Aloha...with Ka Manu Iwa

A gentle 20-min guided session incorporating chant/music, and body movement with your breath practice. This session was recorded during a live movement class. This practice is best done while standing, or you may also remain seated if thatʻs more comfortable and appropriate for you. (Isolated chest rotation can be substituted for hip circles, if seated.) Use upon waking, during midday, or just before you retire for the evening. Surround yourself with a Breath of Aloha with Ka Manu Iwa--each and everyday! Breath of Aloha hosts regular, and weekly live virtual gatherings in mindful movement/dance, energy work, breath practice, and connection. Reach out to us in the comments section if youʻd like to be part of our circle. All original music courtesy of Eva by Moonlight.

Generosity goes both ways. Aloha aku, aloha mai. Give love, receive love. As you receive, so must you give. Giving, helping, sharing...these are just some of the many facets of generosity. Health care workers, caregivers, teachers, employees in the service industry, parents, and all those who play roles of providing service to others--of their knowledge, energy, skills, labor, heart, spirit--are always in the giving end. They are our heroes, often remaining unsung. The smallest act of giving from their end can mean the difference of an entire lifetime for the recipient. We can sometimes forget that they are also human, and their needs have to be replenished and their generosity reciprocated. Most of the time, they will never ask for anything from others--you will never hear them request for anything. If you are the generous giver, this practice is for you. If you are on the receiving end of generosity, this practice is also for you. We all need to find the proper balance of giving and receiving. Nothing is ever for free, and we must not be complacent in always taking. As givers, we should be courageous in asking for what we need. There is never any shame in asking for what we need. Generosity goes both ways. Aloha aku, aloha mai. Give love, receive love. As you receive, so must you give. Breathe in a Breath of Aloha often, and breathe out generosity and loving-kindness...always.

It is an old Hawaiian proverb: Nānā ka maka (look with the eyes). This very simple, and powerful activity allows us to learn, and be aware of who we are in relation to space. Observing without opinion or judgement is a continuous exercise in bringing awareness to our sense of place in the world. Practice daily, and practice often. A daily Breath of Aloha is a gift of good health and balance for the body, mind, and spirit.

There may be times when we think that if we could have just one more little thing, that it will fill the gap--and make us feel better, and somehow complete us. We have forgotten that everything that we need in this life, is already within us. We have forgotten that we have so much to offer ourselves, and that we do not need to seek it elsewhere. We have forgotten how amazing, and incredible we already are on the inside.   Visit this short and powerful affirmation--again and again--as a gentle reminder to yourself of how connected you are to everything, and how precious your life is to this world.   Aloha from KaManuIwa!

Where is "home?" Is it a place, person, or is it the idea of only being surrounded by the familiar? There are times we are unable to answer "yes" to any of these, because life takes us to unfamiliar places, to meet unfamiliar people, and to experience unfamiliar events. And our first reaction is to resist the unfamiliar. We have forgotten that home is already within ourselves. And our breath can always bring us back to re-connect with our beauty, power, and spirit. Welcome home to love. Welcome home to your breath. Welcome home to Aloha! Come home, again, and again...with a Breath of Aloha, and Ka Manu Iwa.

Magandang araw o gabi, mga mahal na kaibigan at kababayan! Eto po ang isang ensayo at meditasyon na inihahandog ko sa ating kapwa para sa ikagagaling ng katawan, puso, at diwa. Sana po ay magustuhan ninyo, at tangkilikin ang ensayong ito araw-araw, lalo na sa panahon ngayon na maraming nakaka-asiwa o nakaka-stress sa atin. Maraming salamat po!

Yes, it will happen. Those days and moments when we're just not into it, not feeling 100%, totally unmotivated. We're human, and it happens. These are the very moments when we need to reach out, and connect with our practice. This short 3-min "breather" can help get you there. Remember, we're all in this together. Let's breathe into those thoughts, and feelings...one moment at a time. Aloha!

The decision to be here, just to sit, breathe, and rest can be challenging. But, we make that decision on our own, without looking for validation or prompting from others. Because we know that in the quiet space of our heart is where we can find our true self. And when we arrive, we are embraced in the song of our own breath that conveys the lyric of the spirit, one breath of aloha at a time.

Connecting with the Earth with your naked feet is a healing practice anytime of the day. Find a nice quiet space, sit barefoot to rest, and re-connect with your beautiful self through a breath of aloha with Ka Manu Iwa.

As we journey into our practice, we may begin to ask why we even need to practice. We may start to question the whole purpose of it, especially if we don't notice any immediate results. Realizing that the purpose of the practice...is to practice. Just sitting lying down, or however you are at this moment...and breathing. This session incorporates counting with the breath. It is as simple, and complex as that. Don't give up...continue the journey, and stay on the path...one breath at a time with your companion in a Breath of Aloha, Ka Manu Iwa.

Making the choice to take care of ourselves, and acknowledging our humanity is a courageous, and selfless act of love for ourselves and others. Come home to your breath, and practice anytime, and anywhere with Ka Manu Iwa.

Pause, breathe, and renew. It just takes three minutes to refresh your mind, body, and spirit. Come home to a breath of aloha with Ka Manu Iwa, anytime, anywhere...just as you are.

Wherever or however you find yourself, slow down, and come home to your breath. A breath that is easy, gentle, and natural. A simple 6-minute practice brings you home to your center. Vocals only, no music. Close your eyes, and breathe into a blissful state of sweet aloha with Ka Manu Iwa.

Sometimes we think we have to already be in a perfect state in order to meditate. When thoughts arrive, we wish them away, instead of simply noticing them as they arrive, welcoming what is already here, and then allowing them to fade as we let go. It's as simple and challenging as making the commitment to just sit, and breathe--wherever you are, and however you are. Just like a good friend who's there for you, here is a short guided breath focus to bring you support. Vocals only, no music. Close your eyes, and breathe into a state of blissful aloha with Ka Manu Iwa.

A short guided breath focus to bring sweetness to your day, refresh your spirit, and improve your overall well-being. Vocals only, no music. Close your eyes, and breathe into a state of blissful aloha with Ka Manu Iwa.    

This short guided practice can be used as a walking or traveling companion, or as a regular breath practice that can be done anywhere either sitting or lying down. Vocals only, no music. Connect your heart, refresh your spirit, and breathe into a state of blissful aloha with Ka Manu Iwa.

A short 6-min guided body scan and breath practice to use anytime to refresh your spirit and state of well-being. Vocals only, no music. Close your eyes, and breathe into a state of pure aloha with Ka Manu Iwa.

Stresses in our daily life can take a toll on our well-being. Take a moment to engage in this short 8-min guided breath practice to use anywhere, and anytime in your day to find balance, and refresh your spirit. Vocals only, no music. Close your eyes, and breathe into a state of pure aloha with Ka Manu Iwa.