Breathing has become our most consistent and longest running group in Garden where we take time to come into our bodies, our awareness and build lung capacity. In the last few months we have been joined by a second ongoing facilitator, Vyse, who brings with them a thoughtful presence and multitudinous gifts to breath work! Below, check out this interview with them. RSVP for Breathing (9am PST Monday-Friday) here!
Untl next our avatars meet,
🪻J Mase
What made you want to facilitate Breathing? When I first joined Garden and got my first newsletter, I noticed the regular breathing practice. It was something I had wanted to include in my own life, and now here was a community opportunity to participate. A couple different people led breathing, and getting to witness each person's style was inspiring. I created my own flow to follow for other moments of my life, and that's when I realized I could share it! I felt I had made friends in Breathing, and this was a part of myself I could share with them. With my community.
How do you hope Breath Work benefits participants? I hope Breath Work benefits people's focus, lung capacity, and groundedness. Taking a moment to do anything concentrated is a skill worth working, and just breathing can be a lot harder than it sounds. My Breath Work pattern includes a lung maximizing breath, to try and offer deeper breaths when needed. Finding where we want to settle roots in space, and time, is important, and I find Breath Work aids in sturdying those foundations.
How does Breath Work help you? Breath Work offers me a regular time in my day to find calm. I use it as an opportunity to focus on my posture, my blood flow, and of course my breath. As someone who forgets to breathe occasionally, having a practice I can lean on in moments of distress is everything. Breathe Work is a very well used tool in my belt.
Who should come to Breathing? I love the answer of EVERYONE, but not everything is for everyone. Breathing is for those who want to take 30 minutes out of their day to focus on growth, physical and spiritual. Yes, it is a scheduled practice, but it is also a skill that supports epically in so many other situations.
How is Breath Work connected to your own body/wellness/goals? For me, growth and change are constants. With that in mind, I find breathing through the change is one of the most powerful responses. Every breath lands in the body where it is needed, and if we pay attention to where they land, what they nurture, we can learn a lot. For me, learning where my pain lands has been important as it tells me what needs more love. Learning where the compliments land offers knowledge of what wants celebration. Breathing has gifted me knowledge that amplifies my body scans and brings balance to instability.
Garden is a free 24/7 space, but it does cost money for us to maintain it on Gather.Town. If you'd like to donate to this work, consider throwing some money in the pot here. To send donations directly through our 501c3 fiscal sponsor, email us!