How are you all doing?   Life can feel challenging at times and it is easy to let stress or anxiety get the better of us.  One of the practices I have been sharing with my clients, recently, and one that I do on a regular basis is an embodied mindfulness practice. 

Dance, mind-body movement and exercise is generally one of my antidotes to feeling distracted or disconnected.   However, these days while working with video conferencing and being on the computer more than usual I find myself wanting simple practices that I can use anytime of the day to slow down my thinking and come back home to the present moment and myself.   This practice can also allow for a way to develop a loving and attentive relationship with our bodies. 

I find this practice can feel more powerful if it is carried out standing so as to feel the feet firmly rooted on the ground.  So one idea is  to try this practice while you are walking about, either inside your home or outside.

1.  Bring your attention to your breath and the core of your body.   Start breathing with the whole body and become aware of your soles on the ground.
2. Notice if your mind is distracted and gently bring your attention back into the core of the body. 
3. Again, focus on the rise and fall of your breath in the body.  Tip: placing one hand on the belly and one on the heart makes it easier for us to connect more deeply in this way.
4. From this place notice how your body is feeling.  You might want to ask yourself where you might feel tension, or ease.  Which part feels stiff or contracted. What feels more relaxed and receptive?   Become curious about those parts you may want to come back to them later.
5. Gradually slow down the whole practice and see how it feels to bring your awareness to your five senses.  You might want to ask yourself: What am I feeling right now?
6. Hearing:  what can I hear?
7. Taste:  what can I taste?
8. Touch:  how does It feel when you touch your body, or a book or whatever Is in front of you.  
9. Smell:  what can I smell?
10. Sight:  What can I see right now?

Finally pay attention to the sensations in the body, gently welcoming them without judgment.

The above is just a suggestion.  I invite you to play with what feels good for you

and find your own way to come home to your body and senses.  As children we naturally play and explore the world with our senses.  Babies for example are constantly exploring the world through their mouths.   As we develop and become adults this natural way of being can become stifled and replaced by overthinking and a reliance on our minds.  You might have noticed that when you go on vacation and are by the ocean, for example, it is easier to relax the mind and just be.   This practice allows us to cultivate this feeling while sheltering in place until such time we are able to travel more freely.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me.  In the meantime, wishing you all an enjoyable holiday season.  Just a reminder:  know that there is nothing wrong with you and you are deeply loved! 

Much love,

Vivianne