Mindful Breathing During Acupuncture (Dr. Jun J. Mao)

welcome to mindful breathing during acupuncture this

brief mindful breathing

exercise will allow your body and mind be

more receptive to the relaxing

healing experience of acupuncture.

Take a deep breath in through your nose, and

breathe out through your mouth.

Now, you can really begin to notice the

sensation of the legs

and back making contact with

the

cushion of the chair or the bed you're lying

on.

And when we have this word, contact,

but what is it really?

A sensation of warmth,

or heaviness,

or tingling.

Or some other sensations, just

noticing, whatever

it is, and in

the moment, when you're ready,

Becoming a

Beware of the state of the body in this moment.

Is the body tired or

full of energy?

Parts of the body tense or relaxed?

It doesn't really matter just

noticing the state of the body in this moment and

in the

moment, noticing the state of the body in this moment, noticing the state of the body in this

Is this full of thoughts or mostly

empty of thoughts?

Thoughts moving quickly or slowly.

Again.

It really doesn't matter just

noticing the state of the mind

in this moment.

And when you're ready, you

can begin to pay attention to the breath.

And there's no need to breathe in any special way.

Just noticing the natural sensation of the breath.

Becoming aware of the sensation of the air moving into the air.

the nostrils, noticing

the temperature of that air, its

warmth or coolness, you

might

even notice that you have tiny muscles in the nostrils, that flushes the air, and you might

Exoflare as you breathe in.

Just noticing the sensation of the breath in this moment.

That's right.

In the moment

So you may begin to notice that

begins to wander to

thoughts, feelings, images,

or memories and

if the mind

wonders that's okay because

that is what minds do.

They wonder, just

noticing where the mind has wandered off

to, acknowledging

that thought

or feeling, and

then letting it go.

And gently, but firmly, returning

the focus of the tension back to the breath.

And with each passing breath,

Becoming more focused, becoming

more aware and

soon you may begin to notice that

the

mind wonders again.

If the mind wanders, that's okay.

Just noticing where the mind has wandered off to.

Acknowledging and accepting that thought or feeling.

You might even say to yourself

in the space of your own mind,

it's okay to have this thought or feeling right

now.

And then you can let it go.

And gently, but firmly,

returning the focus of the tension back

to the breath.

Again and again.

Each time that you notice that the mind has wandered,

you become aware of where the mind has wandered off to.

And you acknowledge and accept that thought or feeling.

And you return the focus of your attention back to the breath.

You are strengthening your mind.

Each time you return your attention back to the breath,

you're learning to step back,

to step back,

to step back from your thoughts and feelings

and into the clear open space.

of mindfulness.

And soon, you may begin to notice

the sensations, thoughts, feelings,

images and memories.

Come and go.

All on their own.

Like clouds passing in a clear blue sky.

Like clouds drifting.

This thoughts come out of nowhere.

Change shape and

Then, fade into the distance.

All on their own.

And there's no need to hold on to these thoughts.

Or push them away.

You can just let them go.

And the part of the mind is like those thoughts passing

like clouds, but

there is a deeper

part of the mind that is more like the

space in which the clouds pass.

The observing awareness

that is open,

spotless,

and free.

Just watching.

Just observing.

Peacefully.

And you can focus your attention on that part of the mind or

you can continue to focus

your attention on your breathing.

And now, you can take

a few long breaths.

moments, to focus on the best parts of this experience,

appreciating

and savoring whatever

positive thoughts and feelings have

come up in you in this practice.

Focusing on this experience now or

you can continue to focus on your breath knowing

that

you can return to this state of mindfulness whenever you need to

simply by

bringing your

attention back to the breath.

Then, very slowly and gently, when

you're ready, you may feel a little more

comfortable,

a little more centered, and

a little more hopeful.

the future please continue with

the mindful breathing

as you experience the rest

of the acupuncture treatment

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.