remember to breathe

I could write about many different ideas from this one photo. Today I’ll talk about the “remember to breathe” button.

Breathing happens all the time, but how often do we really notice how we are breathing. Here are some instances where I have noticed that people stop breathing:

• during an emergency, e.g. driving down a windy road
• while playing the piano, especially in difficult bars
• while reading out loud
• during intimate encounters
• while watching a scary movie
• during an exam
• when facing an abusive partner
• at the dentist

Seriously, those times are when we need to be aware of our breathing, and do it properly. Several years ago when I started taking voice lessons, I found deep breaths were a challenge. I often became light-headed, and even passed out in the middle of a song during a recital.

That “remember to breathe” button, a gift from another choir director, is a constant reminder to keep breathing, especially in instances where I forget. I no longer have the same difficulty breathing while singing, but I do notice often that I have forgotten to control how I breathe in instances where it would make a difference.

Remember to breathe…deeply…down to your toes…