Originally published in the 2020 Conscious Dancer Newsletter
A quote from a Breema book says, “Ideas are exciting, but this moment is real.” When I first took the quote in, I remember feeling something inside me open up to know more. Not more about something that would necessarily make me wealthier or wiser, but more about deepening a connection with myself—and with life. Continue reading “Real Connection Starts with Me by Alexis Mulhauser”
The experience of “coming to the body” is not something that I ever thought would be my saving grace. But time and time again, when life presents challenging circumstances, “coming to the body” supports me. That support starts when I register my body is breathing or my body has weight. These two tools bring me out of a reaction to life’s events and into a relationship with myself. From that place of relating to myself, I am able to relate to the circumstances that present themselves from the perspective of connection and well-wishing.
Continue reading “A New Perspective of Connection and Well-Wishing by Luna Lacey”
Yesterday, after spending the day in computer meetings, I noticed how low my energy was, as well as my mood. Yet when it came time to go to bed, I found myself aimlessly scrolling on my phone.
Today I taught a virtual Self-Breema class. I saw how, over the course of the class, my energy began to increase. Even though the class was online, my focus was inward, and not out at the screen. As I tapped on my legs as part of the exercise, I experienced the vitalizing effect of receiving Breema. This deepened when I worked with relaxing my hands and brought in the principle of No Hurry/No Pause.
Continue reading “Reconnecting with Yourself by Alexandra Johnson”
Any condition of the body, mind, and feelings can support you. Discomfort invites us to look at the state of things, to explore what is needed to increase vitality. There is actually no such thing as dysfunction—what we see as such is the process of the body finding balance in an unbalanced environment. Continue reading “Everything Serves a Purpose by Alexandra Johnson”
Because of studying Breema, there is something in me that knows the taste of body, and also recognizes the difference between that taste and when I’m caught in my thoughts. It’s not about becoming better or becoming anything; it’s about being, in this moment. Not Angela being, just being, just that, and Angela is included. If it’s about being anything, it’s about being available to life.
When I connect to this body, I am more available to life. It sounds simple, yet when I have this taste, there is absolutely nothing else I want. I know that this being, this aliveness, this unity, is what I want and what I have, in some way, been looking for my whole life. Continue reading “Being Available to Life by Angela Porter”
Translation available in Spanish
Many years ago, I read an article in the Yoga Journal about Breema bodywork. At the time, I was searching for anything that would help me during a “healing crisis.” What stood out for me most was the statement that Breema supports the body not by fighting sickness, but by increasing vitality! This statement was quite shocking and revolutionary for me at the time, because I’d been completely focused on everything that wasn’t working as I thought it should. So, when I read that statement, I felt that there were, in fact, still aspects of me that really were okay. Not only was I still alive, but a deeper part of me was also functioning. I recognized that while the body was in distress and trying to regulate itself, my mind was suffering from worry and anxiety, and my emotions were in turmoil. Yet, here I was, alive and breathing! The Breema phrase about increasing vitality was having an impact on how I thought about myself and about healing—in a positive new way. Continue reading “Healing by Increasing Vitality by Arlie Mischeaux”
Seven weeks ago, as my co-workers were moving their office equipment into their homes and getting setup to work from home, I found myself on the internet researching how to use online meeting technology. Little did I know that a few weeks later, our office would stand empty and all of our in-person classes would be canceled for the near future. A few of us took to the computer screens and began practicing how to use this new online meeting application called Zoom.
After twenty years of participating in and teaching Breema and Self-Breema classes, the initial experience of doing Breema online was unusual. Continue reading “New Environment—Same Atmosphere by Luna Lacey”
Translation available in Spanish
Recently, waiting for the traffic light to turn green, the urgent thought “better hurry up!” came, with its familiar twinges of anxiety. I spontaneously took an impression of myself as I sat there, trying to hurry while sitting still: mind, convinced I should be closer to my destination than I was, and that somehow I was wrong to be where I was and not somewhere else; feelings, afraid of being late, critical of myself; and body, generally constricted, breathing shallowly, pronounced tension in belly and shoulders.
Fortunately, the Breema principle of “No Hurry/No Pause”came to mind, inspiring me to do as I do when doing Self-Breema or giving someone a Breema session—get the mind to drop its concept (“I should be elsewhere at this time”) by asking it to take on the task of registering the presence of the body. I did that, was nurtured by it, and felt grateful to be alive. Continue reading “Be Where You Are by Mary Cuneo”
I want to be more present in my life;
I want to be more present with myself;
I want to be more present with my family and friends;
I want to be more present at work or school.
What does that mean? How do I do that?
Presence is the matrix through which we experience all aspects of our human experience. It is fundamental to all relationships with oneself, family and friends, work-life, a sense of meaning and purpose in life and connection to community, nature and to the divine. When we are “present” our mind body and feelings are working together in alignment and we experience more peace and clarity. Without presence we don’t know that we actually exist, nor do we have access to any real information or understanding of what is happening with ourselves or anyone else. Anyone who cultivates presence in their own life and work can, with acceptance, empathy and understanding, relate to others more easily. Continue reading “I Want to Be More Present in my Life by Eileen Sendrey”
Translation available in Spanish
While at the grocery store the other day ready to check out, I looked from line to line doing my best to figure out which line would be the quickest. I waited anxiously for my turn as I continued to scan the other lines to determine if I had made the “right” choice. Still considering if I should make a last minute change, I began to unload my groceries on the conveyor belt just as the cashier asked for a price check over the store intercom. Frustration and anxiety were my first reactions before realizing there was nothing I could do to change my current situation, but there was something I could do to change my relationship to it. Continue reading “Relating to Life in This Moment by Steve Brodsky”
