Communication

Here you will find an important piece of the Take a Breath for Change Community support content. This section includes the information and skills meant to solidify the changes and patterns you are creating via the Take a Breath recordings. There is a significant benefit in speaking about what you are experiencing; your thoughts and feelings around your mental health, physical health, performance and lifestyle. As well, there is a real need to be a listener for another- a fellow student, a friend, a workmate, another parent, or whomever you are choosing to practice listening. Caring, compassionate, non-judgmental listening is missing in most of our social circles and media. As it was said;

“It takes a village to raise a child!” -African proverb

That statement is probably more important than ever. Here at Take a Breath we would add: ‘it takes a healthy child/individual to support a village!’ We are in this together; which is why this section of the website is so important. We all need healthy communication skills to develop authentic communities and to support the climate and culture in and around our schools, homes and our workplace. We invite you to please take the time to explore the tools and practices suggested.

Here are some of the best practices we suggest for improving your Take a Breath for Schools and Communities experience:

 ·       Watch the Orientation Video and read about what makes a good listener.  Recognize your role in the community as an effective listener.

 ·       Watch Co-Listening examples for Adults, including how NOT to listen!

 ·       Watch Co-Listening for Teens

 ·       Intro and then Watch Co-Listening for Children

Once you have a sense of the power of the listening practice, and appreciate the communication skills, you can deepen your knowledge.  You can watch the video and learn about “I” Statements.  You can understand Whole Messages through the video.  Finally, you can practice the Conscious Dialog, by first watching the video.  All of these communication practices, and more, are also highlighted in the written document.

These can all help you begin to practice speaking and listening as a way to solidify the new patterns you are creating through Take a Breath.  Meet regularly with your co-listener (at least 1x a week; the more the better!). You can meet face-to-face as appropriate, or perhaps via technology; whichever way works for you. Remember to keep interactions secure and comfortable for both of you.

 Communication has always been a cornerstone of any self-improvement practice or self-development. Whether that is internal communication with yourself or, in this case, when we are seeking authentic communication with another in our community. We communicate constantly; with our words, our body-language, with our whole selves (90% of communication is non-verbal). Clear communication is an art; it goes in both directions, from speaker to listener and then back again, changing and shifting constantly. Clarity in communication often comes from our ability to listen, watch, and feel, staying in tune with the person in front of us.