Every morning, I do three Makko Ho stretching exercises. They are simple and fast but also demanding. One of them requires you to sit upright, spread your legs, then bend forward as far as you can. Your arms should also extend forward, and if you can, you’ll want to place your palms flat on the floor.
I’m not the most flexible and have knee issues, so it’s a strenuous position for me. How far can I spread my legs? How much more can I inch forward with my fingertips? Almost without fail, when I first get into the position, I instinctively hold my breath. Maybe it’s because the bend forward squeezes the abdomen, or because the overall amount of tension in my muscles runs high.
Whatever the reason, as soon as I’ve arrived in the pose I’m supposed to hold, I kindly need to remind myself: “Hey there! You should continue to breathe.” “Oh! Right!” my brain goes, and even though it’s not easy, I draw in as much breath as I can. With some fresh air in the system, I can then get back to focusing on stretching further.
This morning, I spent a good hour lying awake in bed, worrying about time, money, and my dreams. Eventually, I realized: “Whatever concern you feel about these things right now, this is exactly like your Makko Ho exercise. You just need to continue to breathe.”
Life can make us gasp for air at times, but usually, it’s us who forget to inhale. Don’t let the stretch knock the wind out of your sails. You’re inching into your potential, and the next breath is always enough.
