Taking back your power is about staying grounded and showing up as your authentic self. It is the ability to move forward from an unshakeable center. In the past, I would look for solutions outside of myself instead of knowing the answers existed within me. It was after much trial and error that I found practices that would inevitably lead me towards wholeness.
Being a yoga, meditation and breathwork teacher, I have been fortunate to be surrounded by teachings that are all about recognizing the same undeniable truth — that you are your own best teacher. These practices show us how to hold our own hand as we walk through the fire of life. Each time we engage with ourselves on a deeper level, we fortify our own internal resolve and begin to let the habit of relying on outside sources go.
When we take moments of pause with the intention of really being with ourselves, we feel less frantic and more likely to turn inwards for what we are seeking.
It is important to look at what personal narratives we have around our definition of power. Looking at what or who we give our power to will give us the freedom and strength we truly seek. Is it money? Success? Popularity? We must get clear as to where we stray from our internal path so we can re-route back to ourselves.
Throughout the day, we can notice when we are giving our power away. 
It can be overloading our day for fear of being perceived as lazy. It can be when we feel something deeply, and mask it with any number of distractions. It can be when we hold back in conversation for fear of appearing unintelligent. Whatever specific situation applies to you, use your new awareness of it as an instrument of change.
Self inquiry, whether done pen to paper or just sitting quietly, has been a hugely beneficial practice for me.
Answer the following questions below.
Inquire
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The breathing practice below is called “kapalabhati” and it is traditionally associated with the third chakra — our connection to ourselves, our personal power and our inner strength.
BreatheSit in a comfortable cross legged seated position Let your palms rest softly on your thighs Begin short quick exhalations out through the nose Each inhale is passive Each exhale draw the navel back towards the spine Continue for 30 seconds to a minute Then take a long deep inhale and a slow conscious exhale Close the eyes, sit with the stillness, and notice what’s shifted |
It’s helpful to have little reminders throughout the day of what you are trying to embody in your present experience.
AffirmI am at ease with myself. I look to myself for the answers I seek. |
Images by David Rosenblatt. Feature image by Clifford Usher.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is kapalabhati breathing?
A yogic breath of short, quick exhalations through the nose with passive inhales, drawing the navel back on each out-breath. Thirty seconds to a minute is plenty.
Do I need to journal, or can I just sit with the questions?
Either works. Bree suggests pen to paper or simply sitting quietly — the point is the inquiry, not the format.
How often should I practise this?
The affirmation is designed to be returned to through the day; the breathing and inquiry work well as a short daily or weekly reset.
