Our breath is the modality that helps us to move into a state of mindfulness. When we focus on our breath, we can become aware of what our brain is spewing out in the way of thoughts, judgments, and messages. We are also able to think with the fullness of our brain which expands our range of choice. We can fully observe how we are being and acting in our relationships, our day, and in our living. We can feel our body’s sensations and movements, especially those that might be in response to fear, discomfort, joy, and love. We can clearly and calmly observe the rise and fall of our emotions and when we are starting to be triggered and react as well as notice the affect that has on our wellbeing and relationships with others.
There are many options for a breathing practice. One such practice is: breathing in on a count of 4, holding for a count of 4, breathing out on a count of 4, holding for a count of 4. Some folks like to extend the breathing out count to 6.
Practices that help us use our breath/breathing to enter a state of mindfulness include:
- Meditation (sitting, walking, visualization, audio, body scan)
- Centering while standing by feeling our feet on the ground and noticing our environment around us, closing our eyes, listening and breathing intentionally
- Centering while sitting by feeling our feet on the ground, our buttocks in a seat, our backs supported by chairs or pillows, closing our eyes and taking long deep intentional breaths
- Centering in the moment by taking 3 long deep breaths and pausing 30 seconds to check in within you
- Stopping and allowing silence to lead
When our coachees are mindful of how they are being, how they are making choices and decisions, and how they are perceiving others and the world, they expand their capacity to develop themselves and to contribute to ‘the greater good’. It is in the moments of mindfulness that they connect within in and listen in to hear who they want to be in the world, the impact they’d like to make, and what they need in order to be in integrity with that. When we can bring that to our coachees, we are indeed coaching for ‘the greater good’.
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