Connecting the Breath and the Arm

The object of the game is... 

to bring awareness to the inner feeling of connection 

of the breath to the sensing of weights of the body

to increase pleasurable feeling and internal spaciousness

to decrease pain, bracing, tension in the nervous system

to increase fluid, functional movement possibilities in the hand and arm

The setup…

sitting in a comfortable position, easily upright, lower back supported 

before doing anything notice without changing anything the natural rhythm and quality of the breath, and your ability to slow it, hurry it, pause it 

         start and end with a feeling self-assessment

"what am I feeling right now? how intensely or mildly am I feeling that and where?"

The directions for play…

         lift your hand weight in different directions on each inhale, 

                  let it fall or sink softly on each exhale, 

leave a momentary pause at the end of each exhale before inviting or allowing the next inhale

         lift your elbow weight in different directions on each inhale, 

                  let it fall or sink on each exhale

                           leave a pause...

         lift your shoulder weight...

                  let it fall...

                           leave a pause...

         lift your collar bone weight...

Strategies for "winning" at the game…                

alternate right side and left side randomly, without keeping track

alternate the play with the weights of these body parts 

"Which part connects best right now...reaps the most pleasure and spaciousness?" 

alternate large movement with more subtle, tiny movement...

                  "What size movement fits this breath, my mood, my body?"

alternate between conscious, intentional breathing 

and uncontrolled natural breathing