“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts. Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.”
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There is power in the breath and it is so easily forgotten. Sure you get reminders in yoga and exercise classes but once in a while isn’t enough. Earlier in the week, I had a profound connection with my breath. I was feeling a migraine coming on, not too surprising with stress over medical issues and an elderly parent. Oh…then there’s that whole the state of the world thing and the anxiety that often comes with the creative process.
I examined my usual options- ride it out for a couple days of excruciating discomfort or take the prescription for it, which works, but gives me a hangover the next day. I decided to try a new option- lie down and deep breathe through it. When I say breathe, I mean deep belly breaths that seemingly fill my body. Amazingly enough, my headache was gone in about 15 minutes.
This was a huge breakthrough for me. What if I used breath throughout the day as a preventative to keep stress and headaches away? Now I have adopted a practice (in 
addition to my 12-minute daily meditation ) of focused breathing. Three times a day I sit or lie down, close my eyes and take twelve DEEP breaths. Inevitably my shoulders relax and I get back in a centered space. I set a reminder on my phone. Try it. Even one time a day can make a difference. Air (for now) is free and no mantra is required.
For added stress reducers I’ve deleted the news app, and social media apps on my phone (too much information). Often have my phone in the “do not disturb mode” and keep it out of my bedroom at night. There is also great power in taking charge in one’s own brain…
Usually I don’t read the monthly National Resources Defense Council newsletter “The Voice.” You know..the too busy thing, don’t want to be depressed. This time I read it and was shocked by their feature-length article “From Trees to toilet Paper: Canada’s Great Boreal Forest is Being Wiped Out.” Pardon me, I never thought I’d be blogging about toilet paper but this information I felt should be shared.
their content from virgin timber in the from the N. Boreal forests of Canada, the “lungs of N. America” Essentially they are wiping out a major ecosystem and contributing to climate change rather than investing in recycled content or alternatives such as bamboo and wheat straw. About a million acres are logged a year for tissue and other disposable products. Proctor & Gamble, Kimberly –Clark & Georgia Pacific thus far use ZERO recycled content. Costco gets their tissue from the main suppliers.
years after FOMO). When we are so involved with FOMO & social connections we miss out on ourselves. We have no time to reflect, breath, savor, & notice. Those nights I stayed in were so lovely. I wrote in my journal, read, took dreamy walks at sunset and went to bed at a decent hour. I have no regrets. The last night I did go out and had great fun out playing in a pub. I rolled into bed at 3 AM exhausted. That was a great memory too but I suffered for it during my two days of travel time back to Oregon and had horrible jet lag after.
goatskin over a wood frame, beaten with the hand. Now it’s evolved to a more sophisticated, tuneable drum that is played with a tipper, or beater made from wood or bamboo. Currently, it is finding its way out of Irish traditional music into other genres. The better players perform solo as well as part with of a band.
music sessions, which are informal gatherings of musicians playing Irish music- usually in a pub. As I am not skilled enough on guitar I thought this percussive instrument would be a relatively quick avenue in. Well, yes and no. As with any simple looking thing, there is a myriad of complexities to be mastered not to be seen at first glance.
some of the finest players in the world, plus special lectures and performances. I met students from all over the world including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Czech Republic, Hungary, Japan, Germany, Brazil, and all over the US. Quite surprisingly there were a fair number of older women as myself coming solo. It was an easy place to make new friends. At night if you had the energy the three pubs on the island were full of musicians playing traditional Irish music and you were welcome to drum along. In Ireland music is not just a spectator sport. I saved my energy for the last night and rolled into bed at 3 AM exhausted and bleary-eyed for the last day of classes (as with everyone else).
The island of 
like the pyramid Orchid. There was a lovely swimming beach and on the last morning, despite my late night, I went for a swim in the chilly, turquoise water of the North Atlantic – a spiritual end to my stay.
By Alanna Pass 