Drawing your breath - a five-minute exercise
An easy place to begin mindful drawing...
An easy place to begin is with the ability we all have: breathing. In its essence, this requires no training, although one can practise good, deep breathing.
If you feel like it, here’s an invitation to turn a bit of your attention to your breath. Don’t change it; simply notice it while you draw.
You will need:
A piece of paper. It can be from a photocopier, the back of an envelope or the inside of an empty cardboard box.
A marker, pen or pencil. If it can make lines, it will do. Choose one that feels nice to use.
The result is not a finished piece, and it doesn’t matter how it looks. This is about the process of giving yourself and your body a five-minute break.
You can set a timer or stop when you reach the end of the paper.
Begin at the left side of the paper
Put your pen to the paper
Remember, you are to register, not alter, your breath
When you inhale, let the pen slowly drift upwards
On exhale, let the pen drift slowly downwards
On inhale, let the pen drift upwards
…
Continue to register your breath with the pen until the time is up or you reach the end of the paper.
How did it make you feel drawing your breath?
Did you push your breath? Did you end up with lines of varying heights because your breath had some natural variations?
Did you get caught up in the line, and how did that affect your body? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to hear how it was.
I love this exercise and use it often with my clients, especially when 'just' breathing exercises feel challenging. It always amazes me how everyone's lines are so different!