“I took a deep breath and listened to the old bray of my heart: I am, I am, I am.” – Sylvia Plath

Attention to breath is imperative in so many pursuits, from yoga to boxing. Breath-work is, of course, foundational to both meditation and mindfulness. Whether you have a strong practice, or no practice at all, there is no life without breath, the most basic interaction with the world around us. Is there a good reason why we shouldn’t consider breath another one of our senses, making a sense of breath as vital to our interactions with our environment as a sense of sight or taste?

For this exercise simply find a quiet place to sit and breathe. But as you breathe, visualize a reversal in how you perceive breath. Your exhale is the universe’s inhale, and the universe exhales into your lungs. Instead of you breathing, allow breath to breathe you. Bring attention to breath by inverting the flow, refreshing your connection with the world around you.

This is also a good way to keep your awareness on your breath, as it asks you to engage with it on a new and perhaps challenging level.

For more mindfulness exercises, look here.