Holding Everyone Else… Who Holds You? - Return To Self Day 3

Holding Everyone Else… Who Holds You?

Return to Self - A Gentle Path Back to You

For many women, being the one others rely on can become second nature. We hold space, support, organise, nurture and care, often without noticing how little space we leave for ourselves.

Holding Everyone Else… Who Holds You? is a gentle invitation to step out of the role of always giving and experience what it feels like to receive support yourself. Through constructive rest, self-holding and nourishing diaphragmatic “Buddha belly” breathing, you'll be guided towards greater self-compassion, relaxation and a sense of being supported.

This is the third of five short practices in the Return to Self collection, created for busy women who may be feeling depleted, stretched or disconnected from their own needs. You don't need to fix anything here. Simply give yourself permission to pause, soften and be cared for, even for a few minutes.

Music By Chris Collins

Transcript

Welcome to track three, Holding everyone else who holds you. In this practice we gently explore the ways you hold so much for others and we create space for you to feel held and supported in return. This is an invitation to restore balance between giving and receiving. And to reconnect with the compassion you so readily offer to everyone else. Today we're going to get down to it, Literally. I invite you to lie down. In a position called constructive rest. So laying down onto your back, Knees are bent, And place the soles of your feet on the earth, About hips width apart, Or slightly wider if that feels more comfortable. Allow the knees to softly rest towards one another, So there's minimal effort in the legs. If you have a pillow available, You can place it under your head for support, Ensuring the neck feels long and comfortable. Constructive rest is this simple relaxation technique, I often use it at the beginning of my classes, Especially for yin. The body is able to release any unnecessary muscular tension. And this position gently encourages the muscles to soften and allows the spine to realign and lengthen and also helps calm the nervous system. It's often described as a power pause, Offering both the physical and mental rejuvenation that we're looking for. So gently nuzzle the lower back and the shoulders into the earth. Allowing the body to feel supported. And let the arms rest by your sides for a moment. And as we arrive, Inviting the principle from our earlier tracks, A simple pause. A moment just for yourself. Nothing to do. Nowhere to be. And bring awareness to your breath, Noticing its natural rhythm. Now gently reflect on the many ways you hold responsibility in your life. Your family, Your work, Your home, Your community, And on it goes. Notice the ways you have been giving and often without even realising it. There's no need to analyse or judge. We're just recognizing this invisible load. And simply acknowledge this quiet strength that is within you. I gently remind you, You are worthy of the same support you so readily give others. And when you're ready. Bring one hand to rest over your heart. And the other over your belly. And feel that warmth and reassurance of your own touch. And allow yourself to literally hold yourself. Symbolising the care and compassion you offer to others. And we'll begin to deepen the breath into the belly. What I like to sometimes call Buddha. Belly breathing. As you inhale, Feel the belly gently rise as we invite a slightly deeper breath in. You might notice your hand gently rise. And as you exhale, Allow the belly to soften and fall. Don't force the breath. Just inviting this gentle nourishment towards the belly. It's the diaphragm that's moving. Filling up the base of the lungs. And it's that movement and nourishment and massage of the diaphragm that's moving the belly. Into a more fuller position as the breath comes in and the diaphragm descends. So let's take a few breaths here together. Inhale filling the belly, Expand with nourishment. Exhale softening, Releasing and receiving. Expand, Invite the nourishment in. Exhale, Release, Receive. And silently we offer these words of compassion. Repeating gently back to yourself. I am enough. I am doing more than enough. I am worthy of care and support. And we'll take a moment for these affirmations to land gently within you. Imagine that with each inhale you're drawing in that warmth. Ease and gentle support. With each exhale allowing some of the weight you've been carrying to soften and melt into the earth beneath. You don't need to fix or solve anything. You simply allow. You simply receive. And if emotions arise, Welcome them with kindness. Tears, Sensation or feelings are all natural responses. You're not weak for feeling tired, For feeling stretched, Or needing this pause. This is an act of courage and self-compassion. So rest here for a few more moments, Breathing, Letting go and experiencing this balance between giving and receiving. Take a moment to notice what it feels like to be held. Even if only by your own presence and care. And gently remind yourself. I hold myself with compassion. And I allow myself to be supported. I hold myself with compassion. And I allow myself to be supported. Slowly deepen the breath and begin to bring back some subtle movement back into the body. You might wiggle the fingers and the toes or gently rock the knees from side to side. It might feel nice to hug the knees a little closer towards the chest. And then when you feel ready, Roll to your right side. And just pause there for a moment. And as we rise we take our affirmations from our practice with us. I am a now. I am doing more than enough. And I too am worthy of care and support. We use our hands to provide that support to slowly come up. Coming back up to SC. Take a moment to notice how you're feeling. And thanks again for joining me, And I'll see you for track four. Returning home to yourself, Where we'll remember who you are beneath the rolls.