Day 22: Ignite

Welcome to Week 4!

Ignite.

When we think of ignition, a natural place our mind goes to is fire. We think of the energy of fire. The productive capacity of fire. Activation. The activation of goals. The crushing of goals. The accomplishments. The achievements. The things we can point to and say “look, I did this!”

So if you are all fire and ready to crush goals this week, by all means — I will cheer you on.

And … that’s not really what this week is about.

Shocking, I know ;)

But by now you know that I am here as a guide. And the practice is here as a teacher. And 40 Early Mornings is not here to give you just … more of the same of what you’re already getting from everywhere else around you.

Nope, it’s here to serve as a counterpoint. A widening of the lens. A shift in perspective. A mirror. And an excavator. Instead of looking outside for answers and external validation, 40 EM brings us back inside to ourselves.

So this week becomes a chance for us to consider what ignition and growth and work could look like from a different perspective — like: what does it mean to nurture growth, if not through hard work?

Trust me, I’ll have lots more to say about this as the week unfolds.

But for now, start by listening to the sound of your own voice. And your own breath.

You’ve got the Week 4 Questionnaire linked below.

And this week’s meditation is actually a breathing practice.

I laugh every time breathwork is trending because it is actually SO basic and straightforward. And not that sexy. And it is also INCREDIBLY powerful.

When working with the breath — take. good. care. of. yourself.

This week’s practice is called Alternate Nostril Breathing or Nadi Shodana. And while it is designed to elicit an incredible feeling of calm and even-keeledness in the body, any time you work with the breath, the possibility of agitating anxiety or other deeply-held emotions and experiences is present.

So like I said, take good care of yourself. If it’s not helpful or safe for you, don’t do it. (You can send me a message and I’ll send you an alternative for the week!).

I’ve included an old video below if you’ve never practiced this before — watch it once or twice to get a hang of the hand techniques (the mudras).

The audio is 20 minutes long (!) and takes your through 3 cycles of 9 rounds of alternate nostril breathing. It’s an ambitious amount! It might take you all week to work your way up to it. So go slow, do one round at a time. And don’t overdo it, ok?

see you right back here tomorrow,
Cath

Meditation: We have arrived at 20 minutes! We’ll stick with this practice all week long. Keep in mind the notes I laid out above. Take care of yourself with this one. Stay curious and open. A week of Nadi Shodana can be verrrry powerful.

Reflection: Week 4 (Week 4!!??!!) Questionnaire waits for you below.