Blow out the candles, smell the flowers: a mindful breathing practice
by Tyler Thompson, LMFT, LPCC
Imagine a great big cake with lots of candles.
Blow out the candles: With pursed lips, breathe slowly, all the way out, like you’re breathing out steam or smoke; empty your belly of all your breath until you feel your abdomen tighten. making sure to blow out every last candle. Hold your breath out for one or two seconds.
Then smell the flowers: Breathe in deeply through your nose, all the way in and down into your belly, filling your belly like a balloon. Hold your breath in for one or two seconds.
Then blow out the candles again.
And smell the flowers again.
Blow out the candles.
Smell the flowers.
Blow out the candles.
Smell the flowers.
Blow out the candles.
Smell the flowers.
Blow out the candles.
Smell the flowers.
~
Repeat as helpful. Notice, sense, feel before, during, after.
Practice in times of peace.
Apply in times of stress.
Notice, sense, feel what you notice. sense, feel.