TAKE A BREATH & EXPLORE
Art by DJ Stenson from The Story of Women exhibit
Ciara Boyd
This Summer, we were so fortunate to have an intern who served as “master of everything” from writing clues for our Summer Pop Ups to creating content for social media and everything in between. Before she went off to college, Ciara wrote this blog piece for us. As it turns out, it fits in perfectly with our Fall/Winter plans to offer enrichment classes that we hope will help you breathe. We share this post now with incredible heartfelt gratitude for Ciara and her many talents. Enjoy!
take a breath & explore by Ciara Boyd, MAC summer intern
When was the last time you took a breath with the purpose of exhaling creativity, spirituality, or artistry?
We involuntarily take about 20,000 breaths per day. Involuntarily as in without a spiritual or artistic intent. But breathing does more than solely keep our bodies alive... breathing keeps our creativity, spirit, and artistry alive.
Meaningful breath can be used for mindfulness… to relax our souls, or bring our souls back into the present. But breathing can also be the spark that creates an artistic flame.
Below are some of my favorite ways to use breath to ignite my own creative flames. So take a deep inhale... and a purposeful exhale… and get ready to create!
Meditation Breathing with Nature- Inspired by Bel Falleiros
Find a comfortable position in a calm place to help strengthen the four connections we will explore: Earth, Water, Fire, Air. Perhaps use this practice prior to taking one of the MAC’s Online Enrichment Classes
Exploring Earth: Take a deep inhale and feel the earth inside you. Think of the Earth inside you as your existence, who you are. Release the energy and pause to listen to your body. Now as you breathe in, nourish your body and exhale the unwanted excess. Maybe let your body sink into the ground, or let your body feel the connection between earth's gravity and what connects you to your family, your house, your city.
Exploring Water: Take a deep breath down into the water that is your emotions. Take another deep inhale and make an audible exhale. Use your breath right now to acknowledge the river flowing through your body, clearing and bringing fresh life. Let unwanted emotions flow from you into other forms of water all the way into the ocean so they are no longer inside of you.
Exploring Fire: Take a deep breath and breathe in the fire that is in your heart. Take a deep inhale and make an audible exhale. Let your exhale fuel the fire within you, feeding energy and light to your heart, making the flames larger. Explore your connection with other forms of fire in nature, like the eruption of a volcano, or the comfort from a fireplace.
Ciara taking a breather in front of the MAC, 40 Railroad Avenue in downtown Milford CT
Exploring Air: Take a deep inhale to connect to the air that is in your mind and thoughts, and exhale. As you take another inhale, let this fresh air bring life to you and your thoughts. Use your breath to connect with the other beings that have a direct relationship with air, such as a bird or a sailboat. Feel and notice the freedom found in the air.
As we head into the darkness of Winter, it is especially important that we take care of ourselves with wellness practices such as this. It can be as simple as breathing!