One of my favorite ways to use box breathing is to add affirmations to each side of the square.
Replacing the traditional four count with words of affirmation is a way of guiding positive intention into my day.
This also serves as a reminder that the breath is an ever-beginning cycle of offering out and receiving in.
In today's practice,
We will start by doing the traditional four count.
After a couple rounds,
I will switch to words of affirmation.
Each affirmation will follow the same pattern.
I receive,
I hold,
I offer,
I am.
We will do 10 rounds together.
Three to get the pattern,
Seven with guided affirmation.
You will then be given time to do a couple rounds on your own.
Let's begin.
You can be lying down or seated cross-legged in a meditation seat.
You also have the option of sitting in a chair as long as your back is free from support and your feet are grounded.
Make sure you have a nice straight spine and then soften your gaze or close your eyes and simply begin to notice your breath.
On your next inhale,
Guide your breath deep into your core as your belly balloons forward and you can feel the expansion out through your ribcage.
And as you exhale,
Allow everything to simply and gently release.
As we work through this practice,
Try and keep the breath deep in your body in this way.
We will begin by emptying your lungs of air and begin.
Inhale 1,
2,
3,
4.
Hold 2,
3,
4.
Exhale 2,
3,
4.
In 2,
3,
4.
Hold 2,
3,
4.
Exhale 2,
3,
4.
Empty 2,
3,
4.
Inhale 2,
3,
4.
Hold 2,
3,
4.
Exhale 2,
3,
4.
Empty 2,
3,
4.
I receive breath.
I hold breath.
I offer breath.
I am breath.
I receive love.
I hold love.
I offer love.
I am love.
I receive peace.
I hold peace.
I offer peace.
I am peace.
I receive acceptance.
I hold acceptance.
I offer acceptance.
I am acceptance.
I receive compassion.
I hold compassion.
I offer compassion.
I am compassion.
I receive knowledge.
I hold knowledge.
I offer knowledge.
I am knowledge.
I receive understanding.
I hold understanding.
I offer understanding.
I am understanding.
I am understanding.
Inhale and continue with your own words of affirmation.
Finish this last round that you're on.
Allow your breath to return to normal.
Eyes stay closed.
Body is loose.
Relax.
Such a beautiful way to invite powerful and positive affirmations into your day.
My name is Mary of Breath Mindset.
Thank you for breathing with me.
Breathe well,
My friends.
