The Hummingbird and The Breath

May 11, 2023

I held a hummingbird in my hand today. Green back and head, rust colored tail and iridescent golden/orange throat, an adult male Allen’s hummingbird.

I went into the studio to teach and as I was setting up props for students I heard a fluttering humming sound. I looked towards the fixed window and saw a tiny hummingbird stuck inside trying to escape. I noticed the doors had been left open all day in an attempt to give him a few exit points. I tried to coax him to the open door, to avoid having to touch him, but soon noticed he was too scared and probably too tired to attempt a different exit point. As I approached the hummingbird I could feel how desperate it was, and how nervous I was. I kneeled down and took a few slow deep breaths to calm myself and not contribute nervous energy to the situation. The power of just a few deep breaths. 

The hummingbird stopped darting for the window and rested on the window sill. I asked permission from the tiny hummingbird to place it in my hand and I let it know I would free it outside. It stayed very still and I was able to gently scoop him into my hand like you would scoop up clear water from a stream, or dhyana mudra. Hummingbirds are so weightless I could feel nothing in my hand except his tiny feet gripping my index finger. He remained still as I carried him outside. All the iridescent greens and golds shimmering in the warm peach sunset light. The hummingbird remained in my hand for about 30 seconds, we gazed at each other, then he flitted off; hopefully, to an abundance of flowers and nectar close by. 

The breath is one of the most powerful tools we have. 

The power of the breath/prana is 3 fold as it affects

1. Our inner attitude

2. The people, or in this case the animal, around us. 

3. The atmosphere around us. 

Has anyone ever been in a stressful situation? The first thing we do is instinctively take a deep breath. Not only does the exhale rid us of carbon dioxide and other toxins, but the inhale brings in flesh oxygen which opens the mind to new possibilities. Deep, calm breathing gives us little space between the stimulus and our reaction to triggering situations. The breath brings ease. An invitation to pause and step back, and proceed in a more balanced way. You can practice deep breathing anytime, anywhere.