Jul 23

Written by: balancewithgrace
7/23/2006 11:53 AM

 

Air is life-sustaining and is all around us, yet invisible.   Unless it's particularily humid, dry, or filled with pollen or pollution, we often take no notice of air.  Here are some ways to celebrate and connect to this unseen, but vital element:

•  Admire and look for winged species: birds, butterflies, dragonflies and bats.  Attract them to your property with birdfeeders, bat houses, and their favorite flowering plants.
• Fly a kite.
• Take a deep breath.  Learn QiGong or practice some of the breath techniques described in other postings in the practices section of this blog.
• Enjoy the rush of the wind when riding a bike or riding in a convertible with the top down.
• Play a brass or wind instrument.
• Sing, focusing on diaphragmatic breathing.
• Hang wind chimes in a breezy spot.
• Install a weathervane.
• Go on a hot air balloon or glider ride.
• Look at the passing clouds.  What pictures do they make?
• Stargaze.  Visit a planetarium or use a guide to the night sky skymaps.com or heavens-above.com to help you pick out the constellations. 
• Catch some air—by jumping rope, skipping, going off the diving board, leaping while dancing, bouncing on an exercise ball or jumping on a trampoline.
• Take flying lessons or at least opt for the window seat on your next airplane flight.

 

Practice:  This is fun practice that can be done alone or with others.  Buy a container of bubbles and go outside to make bubbles.  Use the power of your breath to blow bubbles.  Start with small bubbles and then see how big you can make bubbles before they pop.  For lots of bubbles, wave the bubble wand or run with it.  Pick a bubble and follow it with your eyes as it drifts away and finally pops.  Choose another bubble and chase it.  See if you can catch and hold it with your bubble wand.   Have fun inventing other bubble games!

Copyright ©2006 Grace Durfee

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