Breathing Rhythm

Last Sunday I did my first indoor triathlon, 10 minute swim, 30 minute bike, 20 minute run. It was a  different  experience than outdoor triathlons. The goal was to go as far as I could within each timed set. I realized early that a metered pool is longer than a yard pool by eight feet. Those extra eight feet made a difference in my time and distance.

My running instructor has a saying: "Run, Your, Run", my swimming instructor says: "Long and strong" my spin and cycling instructor always plays my favorite speed song "Run, Run getaway.." In each discipline it is about finding the rhythm that is sustainable over time. Finding the balance of speed and power through breath control.

Sunday I had a hard time finding my rhythm. I did the opposite of all the training and instruction I received. I did not focus on my breathing. What an interesting metaphor for life. Everyone has their own breathing rhythm. I take my breathing rhythm for granted when I'm under the pressure of "competing" for security, promotion, acceptance from others etc.  I recognize ethat my breathing  rhythym has been off for the past month as demonstrated by Sunday's experience.

I mentioned in my last post about finding my authentic voice. I am coming to the awareness that my my authenic voice is embedded in my authentic breathing rythym. I may have cited this song before but it bears repeating here: "The race is not given, to the swift, nor to the strong but to the one who endures until the end".

Endurance is about listening for and honoring my breahting rhythm which begins by accepting all of my "perfect imperfections". I learned in graduate school about being present to the "both/and" of life.
Chinese philosophy calls the interconnection of opposites Yin and Yang. When I'm off balance and out of sync with my rhythm I experience highs and lows that are draining. I am awakening to honoring the times when I'm hopeful and when I'm hopeless. There are times when I am kind and times when I am critical. I have moments of being courageous and periods of abject fear. I am being conscuious of my breathing. I accept the exspanse and deflation of life.

In a recent FB posting I said: "Intentional aware breathing is the bridge between internal chaos and manifested peace." Brian Alman says:"Breathing,..is not all inhales or exhales, not either/or It's the union of the two that creates the flow of breath. The breath comes in and the breath goes out- you have a rhythm, and it's the rhythm that keeps you alive."

What rhythm keeps you alive?

Peace and Blessings On Your Journey