don't breathe too much

I have been pathetically not working out for far too long, at least not on a regular schedule. So, I signed up for a 2 week intensive kick-your-butt yoga boot camp. 6:30-7:45am 4 days a week for 2 weeks.

Let's just say that I can't move without feeling that all my ab, shoulder, and arm muscles are disintegrating. It feels great. I feel great. I like vegetables and eating strawberries for dessert. It's amazing what a change of pace can do.

Today, as we held chair pose for 2 minutes, our teacher told us a story about a book she read. As sweat rolled into my eyes and I convinced myself I would not die like this, she began. There is an old Indian theory that you are born with a predetermined amount of breaths (this might be like you are born with all your eggs, it's unclear). All the breaths you have are enough to last you through your also predetermined lifetime.

Which means, that when I start breathing fast because I'm worried, impatient, pissed, or anxiety ridden I am taking my life away. Quite literally. I am shortening my time on this earth.

Now, I don't really believe that I only have a set amount of time of breaths or anything. But, I think that thinking of your life in terms of breaths is interesting. So, I set an intention.

I will not breathe fast when I am inconvenienced or when I'm anxiety ridden. I will not breathe fast when I am working hard. I will breathe smart, slow, and steady. I will not let pressure, time, or expectations rush my breath. I only have so much.

Namaste, dudes. I'm going to eat some kale chips.