sigh

am known to sigh a lot. A deep in breath and then a long audible out breath. Ahhhhhh. When I sigh the response is often "What's wrong?" or "what was that sigh for?" to which I usually answer "Nothing" or "I don't know" or "I'm just tired" And I will admit sometimes I sigh because there is something going on in my head that I am trying to let go of, whether it has to do with something that I am currently reacting to or if it is something that I am just thinking about. But most of the time it is unconscious. I am simply letting out a big breath and my body is letting go of what no longer serves me. The dictionary defines sigh as "to take a deep audible breath (as in weariness or relief)" but I think weariness and relief constrains the definition too much. What about sighs of satisfaction? Mmmmm. In Yoga we are often encoraged to take audible sighs in a deep stretch. Haaaaaa. And I suppose that some of those sighs are for sure in relief as the body lets go of tension. But we are also encouraged to take deep out breaths to "let go" to let go of whatever isn't serving us, to let go of distractions and to come into the present moment. So I think that often when I sigh my body is consciously or unconsciously letting go of all that doesn't serve me. So if you experience my sighing, don't automatically assume that something is wrong...I may be making myself more present for you.

When I started noticing how much I sigh it reminded me of my friend's dog who used to always sigh in her sleep. I miss that dog. I ownder what she was letting go of?