I was at a healing drumming ceremony in San Antonio last night, and the topic was survival. Of course, breath and water are basic to survival, survival on every level — physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Breath and water are essential to survival. Especially when we feel our survival is shaky, we need to be sure to stick with our breath and water practice. And that’s why we practice, so it will be there when we really need it.

Open your chest

Working with breath and gratitude and generosity, and being well-hydrated, will have an effect on your heart. Your heart will open up, be enlivened, get stronger. You want to give your heart the best possible environment.

During the day, become aware of your chest. How open is it? What is your posture like? See if you can’t open your chest up some more. I often see a woman taking walks with a golf club. She grips the golf club on both ends and raises it up to stretch her shoulders and chest while she walks. There are yoga postures for opening the chest. Use your exercise ball if you have one. Set a timer, and every 30 minutes take time to stretch and open your chest. Add opening your chest to the list.

Also practice the Hug Your Heart breath.

See how you like it. Let me know.

My name

I have changed my name to Jett Sophia. I found the name on new year’s day, and I’ve just this week begun using it deliberately. I know a name change, especially a first name, can hard for people to accommodate. I won’t be mad if you call me Nancy for as long as you need to. Do you want to know why/how I decided to change my name? See What’s in a Name?

Do you suppose there’s a connection between my breath and water practice and finding a new name?

As always, keep in touch. Let me know how you’re doing. Let me know how you like opening your chest.