Morning Somatic Check-In

This practice intentionally does not include background audio, giving you space to connect with your present experience without the influence of music. If you prefer sound, you can add ambient sounds once you select start.

The goal of this practice is to connect with yourself and simply check in—to notice what you are feeling, how you are showing up, and how your body is speaking to you. We connect with the breath, the body, and the heart space, with the intention of noticing rather than judging, shaming, or trying to change or fix anything that arises. You’ll be invited to approach your experience with curiosity and compassion, and gently consider what you might need to feel more supported as you move through your day.

Although designed for the morning, this practice can be returned to anytime you need to come back to your body, your breath, and the present moment.

Transcript

Good morning. Our goal today is to connect and simply check in with ourselves. To have awareness around what we might be feeling and how we are showing up as we begin our day. And to learn how our body speaks to us and to give it a little bit of space to do so. Here in this moment, There is nowhere you need to be. Nothing you need to do. Can you allow yourself to spend the next few minutes with yourself exactly as you are? Get situated in a comfortable position that allows you to be relaxed, Yet not fall back asleep. You can gently close the eyes or just take a soft gaze, Letting the eyeballs and eyelids relax. If your mind is already racing or drifting to the things you have to get done today, That's okay. Notice the thoughts. Acknowledge them. And see if you can lovingly place them somewhere in your mind for safekeeping. Just for the time being. Maybe you place them in a bowl, A box, Or a container of some sort, Or even a cozy waiting room. Let those thoughts know that you'll be back and they can rest for now. Take a deep breath in, Letting your ribcage expand in all directions. And a deep, Slow exhale, Letting yourself arrive even further into this moment. Begin to turn your attention inward. And notice the parts of your body that come in contact with the surface beneath you. Maybe your head, Shoulders, Back, Hips, Feet. Notice how it feels to have that connection. Notice how it feels to be supported and held without you having to do a thing. Now bring awareness to your breath. You don't need to change anything. Just notice the inhale arriving and the exhale leaving. What is the quality of your breath like in this moment? Is it shallow, Deep, Rough, Smooth, Or warm? Notice how the lungs inflate, Naturally expanding the ribcage and pushing down the diaphragm. And as you let it all out, Everything effortlessly contracts back in. Expand your awareness to your physical body now. Approaching with curiosity rather than judgment or expectation. What grabs your attention first? Can you notice it as an objective observer without assigning meaning or attaching a story to what you're feeling? What sensations are present? What can you learn about how your body experiences this? Now zoom past the area that grabbed your attention first. What else do you notice? You can scan through the body however you'd like. With the intention to simply acknowledge each part of yourself and what it may be feeling. How it is showing up today. Notice any tension, Heaviness, Discomfort, Tingling, Buzzing. But also notice any comfort. Use softness. As well as any places that may just feel neutral. Nothing is right or wrong, Good or bad. Observe this experience for what it is. And lastly, Focus your attention to your heart space. Just notice. What is here for you? Allow yourself to check in with compassion and openness to whatever may be present. Can you allow what is here to be here? You may identify a particular emotion or maybe just some general sensations. Or an image or a color might even come to mind as you connect. All of these are ways your body communicates to you. Now coming back to the body as a whole. Start to bring awareness to your breath again. Possibly offering a deeper, Softer, Slower inhale and exhale. And feel your body once more against the surface beneath you. Feel yourself held and supported. And after gathering all this information about your current experience and what is present for you, Remember that nothing is right or wrong. Nothing needs fixing. Rather than overanalyzing everything. Perhaps you simply ask yourself. How might I go forward in my day in a way that offers just a bit more support for what I'm feeling and what I might be needing? Remember, Your needs are not an inconvenience. And caring for yourself doesn't have to be earned or justified. When you're ready, Slowly start to invite a little bit of movement into your body. Maybe rolling your wrists and ankles, Your neck. We're stretching out. And on your own time, Open your eyes, Glancing around your space, Pausing on anything that feels beautiful, Grounding, Or inspiring. Thank you for taking this time for yourself. I hope you have a beautiful day.