Guided Breathwork Meditation — Being in Progress

Video Transcript

Hi. I’m Alex Elle and welcome to Making Space. I’m an author, writing to heal facilitator, and certified breath work coach. I’m here to help you tap into your inner wisdom and this community was created to support slowing down, being present, and getting back into our bodies by way of intentional breathing, writing, and meditation. The goal for Making Space is to invite you in to get clear and cultivate inner peace. So, thank you for being here with me.

In this video we’re going to be focusing on being in progress. So often the messaging from the world is to know what you’re doing from the start, to do things perfectly, to be an expert. However we all know that that is not reality and in order to be good at something we must practice. And in that practice we come to know a deeper connection to self and the world around us. Practice, to me, means being in the middle of our journey and being a work in progress.

In today’s meditation I want us to focus on the lessons that we’re learning as we embrace being in progress. And in those lessons I’d like us to consider the things — good and challenging — that we’re grateful for. Being in progress means that we will struggle, succeed, learn, reroute, begin again, and everything else in between. The path through this practice of being in progress is not linear and it wasn’t made to be.

Something I’d like you to remember is that we’re actually not failing in the in-between moments. We aren’t less than for having challenges along the way. And if we make space for this to be true, we can also make space for growth through adversity. There is always something to learn about ourselves and our unique lived experiences.

Before we begin our time together, a gentle reminder here is to do what feels right and good for you. I want you to release the urge to judge your practice. Release the habit of thinking that being in between means you cannot figure our your truth. You can. You know who you are, so remember that. And as we’re moving through this meditation, get creative if you need to. You could be sitting still doing this, you could maybe be commuting, or even cooking and having this playing in the background. Whatever feels right and good for you, please do that. I’m a big believer in moving meditation.

After our practice I’ll be inviting you to dive deeper into the pages of your journal. We’ll get a weekly writing prompt and I hope you enjoy.

[Soft background music begins]

Let’s begin.

Take a deep breath in with me, through the nose. Now exhale deeply through the nose.

Again, inhale through the nose. And exhale through the nose.

Take a deep breath in with me through the nose. And exhale through an open mouth.

Again, inhale through the nose. And exhale through an opened mouth.

Once more, inhale through the nose. Exhale through the nose.

Inhale through the nose. Exhale through the mouth.

Drop your shoulders, unclench your jaw, and soften. Notice how you feel on your inhale, and notice how you feel on your exhale.

Keep breathing. Inhale through the nose, exhale through the nose.

Again, inhale through the nose, audible exhale through the mouth.

This practice is inviting you to attune with your body and your mind and pay attention to how you’re feeling. Drop your shoulders, unclench that jaw, soften your body. The invitation in this meditation is to get present, to be here now. Let go of your uncertainty and release the pressures of the world saying you should know what you’re doing by now. My friends you are doing just fine.

Keep breathing. Let go of the idea of am I doing this right? All is well.

Let’s focus on this moment and this breath. Don’t rush yourself. Pace, and allow your breathing to recalibrate you. Being a work in progress is where we learn the most about ourselves. Let this be our mantra for the week. Being a work in progress is where we learn the most about ourselves.

Keep breathing. Inhale through the nose. Exhale through the nose.

Inhale through the nose. Audible exhale through the mouth.

As you’re breathing, I’d like you to take this moment to think about where you feel off in your life. Are these feelings yours or are they influenced by the projection of others? Neither is right nor wrong, just think about it.

Make sure you’re breathing. Drop your shoulders, unclench your jaw, and soften. And as you inhale and exhale, I’d like you to think about a lesson that being in progress is teaching you. Perhaps it’s showing you how to be more trusting of your choices. Maybe you’re open to the beauty of learning along the way. Whatever it is, let it teach you.

Keep breathing.

I’ve learned in my personal practice that perfectionism fuels my resistance to being in the middle of my journey, to being in progress, and so I am learning to release that and show up as a true student of life. And that too is beautiful.

Keep breathing. Inhale through the nose. Exhale through the mouth.

Inhale through the nose. Exhale through the nose.

I hope that as we breathe through this meditation together that you’re becoming more open to exploring the lesson of being in progress. As you inhale, think about what you want to receive. As you exhale, think about what you want to release. This practice requires us to make space. Find gratitude in this moment of stillness and discovery. Find self-belief, self-compassion, self-trust. Give yourself permission to ease your mind here. Everything else can wait. Be completely present with yourself, right now. Repeat after me: I am learning to release thoughts and feelings that are not aligned with my highest good.

Again. I am learning to release thoughts and feelings that are not aligned with my highest good.

I am open to being a work in progress. I am open to being a work in progress.

I can and will be a champion for myself. I can and will be a champion for myself.

I’m going to give you a moment to sit with these words. Be present with them, embody them, and don’t forget to breathe. Soften, drop your shoulders, unclench your jaw, and be here.

[Music]

As we start to bring attention back to the body, back to this space, start to bring your attention back to my voice. Now that we’ve made space for being a work in progress, let’s dive into our writing practice. Grab your journal or your device and let’s reflect. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to show up on the pages of your journal. There is no right or wrong way to reflect on your thoughts.

Here’s our prompt for the week:

Make a list of what you’d like to discover while you work towards your goals.

[Music]

Remember that you can return to this video anytime you need to recenter, reflect, or make space for inner clarity. Thank you for being here with me today. Until next time, take care.