Majestic Zion

The sun has just begun to set across the open canyons of Zion National Park. Fading sunlight bounces off the sandstone walls traveling from the mountain peak of Angels Landing and reflecting down to the Virgin River in the canyon below. The flowing water splashes playfully along the basin floor, gliding over smooth stones and vegetation. Its gentle bubbling sounds almost like music. In the sky above, native wrens and ravens chirp happily as they surf the air currents, swooping down occasionally to chase one another or to snatch up a tasty-looking insect. Further in the distance, a pair of condors scan the rocky cliffside in slow purposeful circles searching for their next meal. Everything is in its place here, flowing as one collective ecosystem in perfect balance, the ideal setting for relaxing and letting go. So as we settle in for the evening, let's deepen our state of relaxation with a short wind-down exercise. Tonight's exercise is a really simple breathing exercise. So when you're ready, let's begin. So first, get yourself comfortable. Now just bringing the attention to the breath. Just noticing where you feel it, in the nose, the throat, the chest, the diaphragm. You're nice and relaxed. We're going to be taking a deep breath in for four, holding it for four, and then breathing out for six. So are you ready? Let's begin. In for four, two, three, four. Hold it for four, two, three, four. Now breathing out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. Great. Now returning the breath to normal. (no audio) In Zion's northern corner, you'll find the Kolob Canyons, a tranquil realm of Navajo sandstone cliffs stretching toward the sky. Energetic creeks wind through the soft red earth, flanked by fuzzy sagebrush, its warm, pleasant scent floating on the air. Thin-limbed trees wave in the breeze, lending a resting spot for little dipper birds. Dippers are not flashy in appearance. Their signature tennis ball body and slate gray feathers tend to blend into the landscape. Yet looks can be deceiving, as dippers have the extraordinary ability to plunge into the river, using their wings to propel through Taylor Creek. Although Kolob is the lesser traveled part of Zion, it holds just as many wondrous surprises. Further along is a massive double arch alcove. The upper arch stands out from a rust orange cliff chiseled by years of erosion, decorated with spots of green growing from the porous stone. It grandly foreshadows the alcove below ensconced in a grove of lush trees. This mystical half dome rises out of the earth, a mouth opened by flash floods sweeping at the rock....