The YES Breath: a 10 minute Ritual for When Life Feels Too Much

Can I teach you something?

It takes about 10 minutes. Especially helpful when your whole body says F no.

You don't need anything except a floor, bed, or couch. And yourself.

I call it the Yes Breath, though I can't take credit for it. I learned it from Gay Hendricks at a retreat in Ojai, California. It's been one of the most quietly powerful things I've brought home with me.

Here's how it works:

Lie on your back. Legs slightly bent. One hand on your belly, one hand on your heart.

Close your eyes if that feels good. Or leave them open.

Feel the floor underneath you. Let it hold you completely.

Now breathe. But breathe like a baby, letting your belly and pelvis rock open on the inhale, and soften back on the exhale.

And as you breathe in, silently... say yes.

Yes to everything that's here. Yes to frustration. Yes to joy or fear. Yes to disappointment. Yes to the exhaustion of always needing to be on and always needing to deliver. Yes to your "no" or feelings of anger.

Just... yes.

Not because everything is perfect. But because what you resist, persists, will grow stronger and dominate your life. And the less you resist your feelings, the better you’ll ultimately feel.

Do this for 10 minutes or so. And notice what shifts. (Don't make it a hyper breath ritual. Feel free to take it easy).

This is what I've learned this past year on my carpet:

The more you practice being with what is, the more freedom you'll ultimately feel. Easier said than done, I know.

But learning to be present with yourself, exactly as you are is the most radical thing you can do in a world that's always asking you to be more, do more, deliver more.

You don't have to be different than you are right now. Everything you're feeling is welcome.

Try the Yes Breath today. Even just 2 minutes.

Then hit reply and tell me what you noticed. What shifted? What arrived when you finally said yes to everything that's here:

Relief? Curiosity? Even more fear? A little bit of space and freedom? 

What is there to say YES to for you?

I read every reply personally and genuinely want to hear from you. 🫶🏼

Big sister hugs, Leonie xxx