And stretch... yet another way to take a break from the screen and devices.
Follow my instructions to open up your chest, shoulders, and thoracic spine with this stretch.
There is nothing fancy about this, but done regularly, it will prevent muscle constriction around the chest.
There are three principles:
1) Hold for at least 2 minutes on each side (time under tension). 2) Breathe to relax. Inhale through your nose for 4 counts, then exhale through your mouth for 8 counts (to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system and turn off the stretch reflex). 3) Relax into the stretch as much as you can (like a wet noodle).
A guided visualisation to allow you to embody a quality that will support you throughout your day.
Let me guide you: - choosing a quality as a word, - then feeling the word in the body, - then connecting that word and feeling to an image in nature - and finally connecting the word and image to an affirmation.
I chose to show up as open. So the quality and word is open, the image is a landscape and the affirmation is 'I am an open landscape'.
Tense, hold, release, and relax body parts in rhythm with your breath.
Notice how it feels when you tense your muscles, hold your breath, then breathe out while letting go of the tension to relax.
Practiced daily to create awareness of any areas in the body that are tense, it will soon become natural to notice tension and soften throughout the day.
A practice for you to incorporate into your everyday life, day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment.
I consider this a must step for 'Proof Of Inner Work' : Presence of your inner experience with non-judgement (& or observation of the judgements). The silent observer to what is.
#9 And Stretch
Follow my instructions to open up your chest, shoulders, and thoracic spine with this stretch.
There is nothing fancy about this, but done regularly, it will prevent muscle constriction around the chest.
There are three principles:
1) Hold for at least 2 minutes on each side (time under tension).
2) Breathe to relax. Inhale through your nose for 4 counts, then exhale through your mouth for 8 counts (to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system and turn off the stretch reflex).
3) Relax into the stretch as much as you can (like a wet noodle).
#8 Grow A Quality Within
Let me guide you:
- choosing a quality as a word,
- then feeling the word in the body,
- then connecting that word and feeling to an image in nature
- and finally connecting the word and image to an affirmation.
I chose to show up as open. So the quality and word is open, the image is a landscape and the affirmation is 'I am an open landscape'.
How do you want to show up today? What quality?
Lets embody it right now.
#7 Immerse In Nature
This English oak tree elicits a sense of aew and wonder in me and a deeper spiritual connection to something greater than myself.
How do you feel in nature?
#6 Tense, Hold, Relax
Tense, hold, release, and relax body parts in rhythm with your breath.
Notice how it feels when you tense your muscles, hold your breath, then breathe out while letting go of the tension to relax.
Practiced daily to create awareness of any areas in the body that are tense, it will soon become natural to notice tension and soften throughout the day.
#5 Connect To Earth
Notice how it feels when you give yourself the time & space to connect bare footed on the earth.
There are said to be many benefits from this practice.
I simply notice how it makes me feel: calmer & more connected to myself & nature.
#4 Breath In To Soften & Relax
Allow your breath to create space in every cell of your body, expanding and softening.
Don't overthink this, just breathe to the rhythm of your breath and visualise or guide the breath into the body parts.
#3 Drink Water
Leonardo Da Vinci said, “Water is the driving force of nature” and indeed there can be no life without water.
Drink Water: Hydrate & Nourish Your Mind & Body
#2 What Am I Noticing
A practice for you to incorporate into your everyday life, day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment.
I consider this a must step for 'Proof Of Inner Work' : Presence of your inner experience with non-judgement (& or observation of the judgements). The silent observer to what is.
#1 Take A Break