Today,
We will explore the practice of the body scan meditation.
It is a technique that helps you develop a deeper connection between your mind and body,
Fostering deep relaxation and a better sense of self-awareness.
Alright,
Now let's begin this guided practice together.
Go ahead and find a quiet and comfortable place where you can sit or lie down.
If it feels good for you,
You can softly close your eyes and then allow yourself just a few moments to settle in.
So you can bring your awareness to your breath,
Inhaling deeply through the nose and exhaling fully through the mouth.
Good,
Now that you have arrived in the here and now,
Allow your breath to just be natural and shift your focus to the physical body.
Starting with your toes,
Bring your awareness to each part of your body,
One by one.
Notice any sensations,
Tension or relaxation as you move your attention through your feet,
Paying attention to the toes,
The arch of the foot,
The heel,
The ankles,
Bringing your awareness to your calves and just noticing what's there.
Just really feeling into that part of the body.
Perhaps you notice the sensation of clothing touching that body part.
Perhaps you feel where your body connects with the surface beneath you with a cool or warm breath as you shift your awareness from the calves up to the knees,
To the upper legs,
Just noticing what's there.
Imagine your breath flowing through each area and releasing any tension and inviting a deep sense of relaxation.
Shift your awareness further up your legs,
Relaxing the hips,
Noticing what you're feeling in the glutes or in the reproductive area,
Shifting your awareness through your tummy,
Just letting all the muscles of the belly relax and go soft.
Now remember,
There is no need to change or judge any sensations that you feel.
Simply observe and bring gentle awareness as you shift your attention further up to your chest,
Allowing the ribcage to relax,
Shifting your awareness to your shoulders,
Letting them glide down naturally.
Perhaps you've become aware of the tension you hold in your neck and shoulders,
Often without even knowing it.
Now let your arms be long and relaxed,
Softening the upper arms,
The lower arms.
Notice your hands resting in your lap or on the ground.
Feel how your fingers are curled up naturally.
Then shift your awareness to your neck,
Your throat,
Just letting it relax.
Then shift your awareness to the jaw,
The face,
The cheeks,
The eyes,
The brows,
The forehead,
Allowing yourself to let go of any tension,
Relaxing all the muscles of the face completely and feeling a deep sense of relaxation coming over you.
Now take a moment to soak up this feeling in your entire body,
Relaxed and aware of what's going on,
All the way from the crown of your head to the tips of your toes.
Remember,
Simply observe and bring gentle,
Kind awareness.
Now as we are about to conclude this exercise,
Gently wiggle your fingers,
Wiggle your toes,
Bring your awareness to the room that you are in,
Perhaps becoming aware of any sounds around you.
Take a deep breath in and as you exhale,
Feel free to open your eyes if they were closed.
