So welcome to this session where we're going to use some psychosensory touch,
Just simple touch,
In a technique called havening.
While we reset our nervous systems,
Allow them to relax and settle back into the truth,
The reality,
That we are not only deserving of our care,
But we are wired to receive our own care.
And that's not just for our good,
But for the good of everyone.
For each of us there is a really healthy balance to be had between our needs and the needs of others and we don't always get that balance.
There are a lot of stories running in our heads saying that we must sacrifice ourselves perhaps,
Or maybe there's some people-pleasing impulses,
Where unless everyone else is taken care of,
We don't feel we've earned the right to be taken care of ourselves,
Especially by ourselves.
The reality is if we're to show up in the world whole and in our honest,
True,
Authentic being,
We need to learn to take care of that vessel,
Our vessel,
To take care of our time and our energy,
Our beautiful being.
I know that people often struggle with the idea of taking care of themselves while staying in empathic,
Caring relationships with other people.
So that's what I really want for you and that's what's at the heart of this session.
There simply doesn't need to be a feeling of tension between your needs and the needs of others.
It's really about balancing so that you can keep showing up whole because you're committed to nurturing your own well-being,
Listening to your body and responding to your own needs and in that way you're giving much more to others.
At the heart of this is the recognition that we need to remember to say yes to ourselves,
Right?
Simply that.
To say yes to our health,
To our happiness,
To our having the capacity to offer something of ourselves and our goodness and creativity and care into the world as we're meant to.
And as you settle in here it may be the case that you're aware that there are some parts of you that are waiting and have been waiting a while for this exact permission.
And consider and know that it's only you who can give this permission to yourself and only you who can take action on it.
That's why it's called self-care.
No one else can do that truly.
So in this practice we're using Havening Touch,
A simple science-backed self-applied technique for emotional well-being and self-connection that is proven to reset the nervous system.
And we're offering,
I'll be offering,
Some what-if questions just to float into your awareness which are designed to meet some subconscious blocks you might have that are sabotaging your self-care.
So before we begin I'll just take you through the touch and we can practice that together.
It comes in three parts.
The first part is you're stroking your palms together from side to side.
So you're stroking your palms and your arms are moving slowly from side to side.
Soothing touch.
How does that feel?
And then the next part,
Cross your arms over your chest so that you can stroke down from your shoulders to your elbows.
Like the slow soothing strokes of a relaxation massage.
And the third and final part of this touch is to touch your face anywhere you like.
That could be your cheeks,
Could be your forehead,
Your temples,
Anywhere on your face in gentle strokes.
Now if any of these three types doesn't feel that good to you,
You are welcome to stick with one or two of them but I will just offer a guidance through the three as I offer this practice.
So let's begin.
Allow yourself to settle into your seat and your space.
You're welcome here always.
You're always welcome in your own seat,
In your own energy space,
Where you belong.
And then you can begin that gentle stroke of the hands.
Stroking the palms of your hands together.
Moving your arms from side to side.
Just as if you were doing this under warm water.
And you're inviting a sense of warmth and calm and presence with every stroke.
And for this practice you're also invited to bring up any feeling that you find makes it harder for you to accept your own care,
If that feels safe for you.
So if there's resistance,
Or emotional struggle,
Or memories arising at any time while you're doing this regarding taking care of yourself in the past,
Even the recent past,
Understand those as feelings looking for help and healing.
And that's what you're bringing forward now.
Stroking your hands together side to side.
Let these questions just fall into your awareness naturally.
What if I were to take care of myself today?
What if I am thoughtful with my time and energy today?
What if I listened to my heart and the call of my own well-being?
Stroking down now from your shoulders to your elbows.
What if I could be on my own side?
What if I were to take care of myself today?
What if I am deserving of my own consideration and attention?
Stroking anywhere on your face.
What if it is safe and loving to protect my energy?
What if today I could be on my own side?
Hands.
What if taking care of myself means choosing softness over criticism?
What if taking care of myself means rest instead of resistance?
What if I already know what would feel good and let myself have it?
Arms.
What if I am worthy of care?
And now breathing and finishing the following sentence just let the words come in automatically.
What if I am worthy of care because?
Face.
What if I were to choose to care for myself because caring is a choice?
What if care didn't need to be earned?
What if it serves everyone when I prioritize my inner peace and well-being?
Breathing in and out of your heart.
Slow touch.
Soothing.
Hands.
What if taking care of myself could be as easy as slowing down for one moment?
Like this.
What if I make space for myself today?
Arms.
What if I were to listen to what I need?
What if I were to honor my body,
Heart and soul today?
Face.
What if I could be on my own side?
I wonder what it would be like to be on my own side?
And back to your hands stroking from side to side.
Today I choose to honor myself and all I am.
My energy is a precious resource and I choose to share it wisely and with intention.
And you might bring your hands now to rest upon your heart or somewhere else on your body that feels good and connected.
I am worthy of time for myself and the world benefits from the fullness of my light when I care for it.
Today I choose to take care of myself.
Today my light will shine.
Just stay inside your body for some moments.
Feeling your breath moving inside you.
Being aware of how your body feels now.
Any ways in which your body has shifted.
Any changes in your feelings inside your body since you took this space for this practice.
And take some breaths to really let those feelings sink in.
As if with every breath they're sinking deeper into your bones and your cells.
And be aware that your system is resetting.
Your body is feeling these changes.
Your heart,
Your mind,
Your subconscious.
That the words and the feelings are soaking into those places.
And then thank yourself because you did take care of yourself just now really well.
Give yourself that credit.
Recognize how capable you are of doing this.
And I wonder how you found the Havening Touch.
That's something you can continue to do and you can come back here anytime.
Bless you and have a great day.
