Article and Photos by Delicia Long
How often do you stop and notice your breath?
This is something we do automatically and without thought every single minute of our lives. It is our natural state of being.
When we become more conscious of our breath, during our waking moments, we are able to tap into a broader sense of calm and peace. We allow our minds to slow down, our hearts to open to possibility and our body to quieten into stillness. We may even connect deeply with our soul.
These calm moments are an essential ritual in my day and they are vital to every level of my well-being. The many benefits of meditation are well documented in the press. For me personally, it relieves stress, brings a calm balance, rests my body, allows me to function more easily, supports
my emotional health and helps me to sleep better.
We can find our meditative space in many different ways and not only through the age old image of sitting alone on a mountain top. Although that has a certain appeal, it is equally important, perhaps even more vital, to find it within our everyday life. Life is often busy, chaotic and stressful, so our meditative practice will help ease the load. This is where the magic begins to happen.
I purposely carve out time early in my day to sit, breathe and meditate as this sets the tone for the rest of my day. During the day I may return to my breath when I feel unsettled, while later in the day I often choose something gentle, like a walking meditation. This didn’t happen overnight for me. It took dedicated time, effort and a desire to learn. It is still a practice for me. One that I mindfully choose every single day.
Meditation is finding the time and space to gift yourself more moments of awareness within your day.
Find a quiet spot, make yourself comfortable, seated or lying down with your spine straight, and start to notice your breath. The IN breath and the OUT breath.
Deep breath in. Deep breath out.
Without controlling them, try to observe them and repeat for a few minutes.
Whenever your mind starts to wander, gently bring it back to your breath. If you notice thoughts, internal chatter or your body complaining, simply acknowledge it. Now return your attention to your breath. This is meditation in its simplest form.
Building on these basics, we can develop a regular and deeper practice. The world of meditation in all its forms is waiting to be discovered.
To help you get started, try Simply Breathe, a short breath meditation (2.55 mins)
I also offer personal meditations that I create just for you. I connect, meditate and intuitively listen to what comes up. Based on this, I create and record a guided meditation from my soul to yours. A unique gift for you. If this resonates with you, I’d be happy to discuss making one for you.
To find out more about me, some meditation tips and to explore my free guided meditations, please visit my online home at
Namaste Delicia