I remember my first yoga class in 1998. The teacher asked if I could come a few minutes early so she could teach me to breathe. Don’t I already know how to breathe, I thought to myself. But after attending that day, I realized that I indeed DID NOT know how to breathe. From that day forward I was hooked on the practice of yoga. The stretching was great. The sense of feeling strong and vibrant after each class was, and still is wonderful. The Sanskrit and philosophy is interesting and thought provoking. The relaxation that results in a well executed class is always scrumptious. But, the breathing, it’s inexplicable.

With continued yoga practice, one typically learns several types of breath ranging in style, length and type. Some are heating; others are cooling. Some amp you up and some slow you down. Most beginner yoga classes teach fairly simple pranayamas like three part breath and Ujjayi, for focus and control. Since taking that first yoga class, and continuing my studies over the years, I cannot tell you the number of times I’ve come back to my breath OFF the mat.

My breath helps me get to sleep at night.

My breath calms me down when I’m upset.

My breath centers and re-energizes me when working.

My breath brings me into the now.

My breath is one of the biggest blessings in my life.

I am completely annoyed when I’m sick and cannot breathe. I am off balance, un-centered and aggravated, in addition to not feeling well.

And yet, as much as I know how much I am blessed with the ability to take long, deep breaths, I know I also sometimes take that gift for granted.

I know that because I know someone who struggles to breathe ON A DAILY BASIS because she only has 30 to 40 percent of her lung’s capacity available to her.

Her name is Jessica and she is a beautiful 33 year old mother of two who was born with Cystic Fibrosis. This terrible disease, along with the medicine she’s taken over the course of her life have caused other health issues such as a gastro intestinal disorder, the most severe case of diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver. Yet, she never complains and has an amazing outlook on life. Her condition has worsened over the years and will continue to do so unless she gets a double lung transplant.

Jessica and her husband Chris (who I work with) have been making trips to the Cleveland Clinic over the past year for a number of assessments to determine the immediate need. One of the qualifications they must meet for the lung transplant is the ability to raise $60,000 for living and medical expenses during the 2 to 12 months they’ll be required to live in Cleveland during and after the transplant. They’ve formed a foundation called Hope for Jessica and have partnered with COTA (Children’s Organ Transplant Association) to accomplish this goal. A benefit is organized and scheduled for this Saturday at Woodward Avenue Brewers in Ferndale, Michigan. Several other events are scheduled to raise money for Jessica, including yoga classes, bowling, massage and more.

To date, they’ve raised almost $18,000, but they have a long way to go.

I write this post as an appeal to you. If you are a yogi, you know the value of breath. You know the blessing it continually gives to your life. Value and cherish it, and in an act of kindness, please help me help Jessica with the opportunity to have the same. A double lung transplant will give her the ability to do so many things she’s never been able to do in her lifetime.

If you’ve found this post, ANY AMOUNT you can give will get them one step closer to their goal. Please give today and share this post, along with the Hope for Jessica site and Facebook page with all of your friends on Facebook and Twitter. Spread the word. Dedicate your yoga practice to Jessica, sending love and good thoughts her way. All she’s already gone through, and will have to endure in the coming months are more than most of us could ever imagine.

Easily take your next full breath, retain it, let it out slowly and enjoy the immediate sensation and profound effect.

Help Jessica do the same.

There is no gift more precious than breath.