The simplicity of reminding you to breathe is not meant to minimize your stress, worry, or anything you are going through. The reminder to breathe is because it is the fastest way to remember who we are, where our power lies, and what we can’t control. The breath, which we take for granted everyday inside our lungs, is our life force - our anatomical sustenance which we need to survive. But the breath also controls our emotional body, in yoga, called the subtle body. The subtle body exists beneath the layers of identity, culture, religion, role, status, and personality.

The subtle body is our essence, and our true Self.

Our true Self might be fighting to come out lately, and under normal circumstances, it already battles our ego for our attention. During times of stress, when we allow ourselves to slip into fearful behavior, the ego gains even more power, and our intuition takes a back seat. So how can you tell the difference? Your ego will be worried, afraid, self-criticizing, and anxious. 

Your true Self, your essence and the part of you that knows, understands that everything will be ok. That we will get through this, even though we can’t see the bigger picture right now.

My household is experiencing all the waves of grief, loss, and anger as a result of all the changes - my young children cannot grasp why they might wake up crabby, or fighting, or feel the need to fling themselves on the floor at the slightest inconvenience. We ran out of Cheerios, his brother took the last stick of gum (actually both sticks of gum, and is chewing them gleefully right in everyone’s face), the dog coyly stole the remote and wants to play. Tensions are high and egos are grasping at any opportunity to be acknowledged.

This is when the breath becomes vitally important. Physically, the breath brings our nervous system into balance, but spiritually, the breath reminds us what is true and real. When we breathe, deeply and slowly, we can listen. 

The breath reminds us that external chaos need not define our sense of peace. 

The breath reminds us that we always have the power to be still. 

The breath reminds us that we cannot control any outcome. 

These things are all true - almost all of the time, in any situation. 

Most importantly, the breath will remind you that you are a powerful being, capable of more than you can see. Remember that the next time your mind runs frantic or your stress elevates to a state of despair: you have the power to be still, and to breathe, and anything that comes up is valid. Now is not the time to abandon yourself. Now is the time to allow your true Self to come to the surface, and to be heard, so you can move gracefully through this.