Deep Breath

We continue our conversation with Kimberlee (KC Ireton) about Lent. In this episode she answers questions about the history and origins of this church season leading up to Easter. Her knowledge is enlightening and we're excited to share these insights with you! We encourage you to learn more from her book: "The Circle of Seasons: Meeting God in the Church Year"The Circle of Seasons: Meeting God in...

Bonus episode - a guided Lectio Divina from Psalm 103:8-14 Listen with the ear of your heart - pray & reflect. Perhaps journal too. The ashes of Ash Wednesday are symbolic of repentance. To repent simply means to return, or turn back to God. Turn to God: orient heart, mind, & life to the Holy One. Reflect, return, rest. 3 Recorded reflections are only $10: www.breatheandbe.net/store

Do you celebrate the Lenton Season? Do you have questions about what it is and why you might observe Lent? Is your understanding limited to thinking of these 40 days as sacrifice and repentance? We interview someone K.C. Ireton, who has a superb grasp on the implications of this special time within the Church Year. She frames Lent in such a way that both excites and inspires us to participate in "...

In this episode we interview an amazing lady, Marie Fulmer. Marie is the woman behind the camera of our lovely new photos, she is someone we admire, and we really think you'll want to hear about what's she's up to. As a single mom she's been on the receiving end of good things: support, compassion, and gifts. But Marie experienced a gap that was relational, communal, and in being understood. So th...

We have mentioned this practice before. We've led you through this practice in past episodes. Yet we've not chatted about what it is and why we love it. It is one of our favorite ways to tune into the activity of God in our lives. The questions guide our awareness, highlighting where the Spirit of God is active in our daily life; mind, body, and soul. Listen in to our conversation about The Examen...

We interview Trisha Wilkerson, a health & wellness coach and certified nutritionist. Her approach is a mindset-challenge for us, one we wholeheartedly welcome! We talk body image, dieting, and anxiety around food all in the context of self-acceptance. Can we relearn what it means to nourish ourselves? It's a wonderful conversation that we found enlightening and edifying. Connect with Trisha: https...

Do you enjoy silence? Is total quiet uncomfortable for you? If God's first language is silence then learning the language will foster our union, deepen our awareness, and hone our ability to listen for to the ever-present presence. If we begin with small and gentle ways to eliminate external noise, we'll notice what rises up (or falls away) internally. Absolute silence may eventually become someth...

Welcome to Season 4 of Deep Breath! We anticipate an exciting 2023. One of the ways we like to look ahead with intention to a new year is to seek God for a "word for the year". The way we might ask, discover and recieve a personal word can vary. However, the purpose of the practice is like any other spiritual discipline: to be attentive to the presence of God. Listen: "Anchors, Rituals, & Reflecti...

A quick message to let you know what's new in 2023. New FB: https://www.facebook.com/DeepBreathPodcast

This is just a quick message to say Merry Christmas to you all! We are looking towards 2023 and Season 4 with anticipation and excitement! Until then, keep in touch with us through IG and FB. And purchase The Arrival at www.breatheandbe.net/store

We have officially wrapped up Season 3 and we'll be taking a few weeks off for the holidays. But! We really wanted to leave you with an episode about the season of Advent. We chat a bit about what Advent is and then we explore several possible practices you could apply to anticipating the coming of the Christ. Books mentioned: "Honest Advent", by Scott Erickson; "Advent Reflections", by Ruth Haley...

Here's a simple but charming blessing for you with Thanksgiving Day in mind. Sit back, take a few gentle breaths, and let these words be spoken over you and to you personally. Happy Thanksgiving, friends! Poem: "My Words Can't Carry All the Praise", by Ted Loder

Just like every other milestone, we are astonished to say: we've reached the end of season 3!! Three seasons of podcasting?! We are almost speechless, almost. So, here's a wrap up of all kinds of stuff we loved and accomplished in Season 3. Get your Freebies: www.breatheandbe.net/store

As we sink deeper into autumn, with less daylight to enjoy, are you noticing any effects on your circadian rhythm (your internal clock)? Do you sense any resistance to flowing with rhythm of nature? Often there are fewer activity choices in late fall and winter. Therefore, we are wondering: how might we embrace this season of long dark nights and what personalized gifts does it hold?

The practice of Praying the Hours has been around since the dawn of the Christian church, and its roots are in ancient Jewish traditions. The Psalmists often referred to the different times of day that people would commune with God; "I will praise you seven times a day because all your regulations are just." Psalms 119:164 NLT  If your current daily life-style does not allow for all 7 pauses, not...

Creating margin in your life means leaving SPACE in your days and in your schedule. Margin is a buffer for the unplanned and unexpected. Having margin gives you a chance to say "yes". Not having blank spaces in your life can lead to exceeding your resources of time and energy. We think margin is an indispensable practice in caring for your soul. Get Michelle's video on "4 Ways to Create Margin in...

Surprise, surprise we love to talk about the breath around here! Today's episode we take the physiology angle. Our hope is to give you more information on how the breath effects the body and mind, and how the two are connected. Also, join us in breath work as we guide you through a simple exercise. Cheers to engaging our parasympathetic system! Listen again: E94 & 45

This week we chat about stretching; literally and figuratively. As yogis and yoga instructors, we recognize and honor the body when it communicates pain or discomfort. And noticing the difference between pain and discomfort is key. Sometimes (somedays) a posture may cause stretching sensation but no harm is being done. We suggest it is the same in a spiritual sense. Sometimes (somedays, some seaso...

What is a Day of Permission? How is it different from a regular day off? And what distinguishes it from Sabbath? We think that the key word is "permission"; to do and to NOT do. The list will be different for everyone, and may be different each time you institute this practice. Listen in for more descriptions of what it is and why we regularly earmark this specific kind of pause from our usual rou...

Let's try-on a mindfulness practice together! In this episode Lexie guides you through a breathing exercise and then invites you to remain in the present moment with a question and a prayer. Stillness is not required for this practice, it actually might be a great time to try out mindfulness while you are active! Listen to: "Mindfulness" S3 E116

You may have heard of them, you might have noticed we mention them, now we're going to have a whole episode about them: Morning Pages! What they are and how they different from other forms of journaling. Listen to: "A Life Changing Book" S2 E54; Books referenced by Julia Cameron: The Artist's Way & The Listening Path

Have you ever considered caring for your body as a spiritual practice? Do you ever feel like the body is the center of attention with diet trends & society's expectations, but as a spiritual being it is relegated to last priority? From the desire to connect with God we often focus on the spirit & soul and leave the body out of the mix. We are not experts and we are not giving out advice. What we a...

All major religions practice forms of mindfulness. This week we discuss what mindfulness could look like for those of us that believe in a God that is always present and Who is loving & compassionate. We define mindfulness as: a way of being; a state of choosing to be conscious of mind & heart moment-to-moment; awareness of thoughts, feelings, responses, reactions, & attachments; AND being awake t...

We continue our chat about the "Second Half of Life". Many of you resonated with the topic so we wanted to keep delving into this important time in our lives. Specifically in this episode we wanted to discuss The Church. Maybe you've found it hard to connect in the ways you use to? Perhaps you've felt let you down or dissolutionment toward The Church? You are not alone! Let's talk about how this i...

We find ourselves in between summer and fall. How about we feel what we feel? If you're like us, it's bittersweet! Can we stay present while we plan ahead? We'd like to savor the season we're in. What kind of spiritual practices might aid this goal? Listen in to hear our thoughts and wondering. Re-listen: S2 E72 Blessing from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NLT