Begin by finding a comfortable,
Supportive position for your practice.
If it's available to you,
You might sit outdoors near a body of water or a pool,
Or simply place a glass of water nearby.
Or you might sit on the floor or in a chair with your sitz bones grounded firmly into the surface beneath you.
Letting your awareness scan through the body,
Making any adjustments that allow for greater comfort and ease.
Letting the spine be long,
The body supported.
You might soften the gaze or if you prefer,
You might close the eyes.
Finding stillness,
Finding awareness of your body,
Resting supported and easeful.
Drawing awareness to the water element,
Office in your environment,
The water sources in your home,
Rain and snow,
Nearby bodies of water,
Ponds,
Lakes,
Streams,
Rivers,
Oceans.
The heaviness and coolness of their waters,
Their softness and fluidity.
Returning your awareness to the water element in your physical body,
Plasma moving through the circulatory system,
Transporting nutrients throughout the body,
The lymphatic system,
Regulating fluids throughout the body and supporting your immunity.
Becoming aware of the water elements present in your subtle body,
Your emotions,
Your sense of happiness,
Equanimity,
Creativity,
Flexibility,
Sexuality.
You begin to direct your awareness to your belly,
Inhaling deep into the lungs,
Sensing the belly expand,
Exhaling,
Sensing the belly contract,
Connecting with the fluidity of the breath,
Inhaling,
Sensing the tide of water energy rising,
Exhaling,
Sensing the tide of water energy ebbing,
Inhaling,
Absorbing its receptivity and inspiration,
Exhaling,
Sensing its soft,
Compassionate,
Nurturing nature,
Inhaling,
Drawing in joy and calm,
Exhaling,
Finding connection and balance.
Gently allowing your awareness to come to rest on your natural breath,
Riding the rise of the inhale,
The pause at the top,
The fall of the exhale and the pause at the bottom,
Rising and falling,
Connecting body and breath,
Inhaling and exhaling.
And gradually begin to extend the length of the exhale,
Allowing each out-breath to come to rest.
And allowing the breath to return to its natural rhythm,
Perhaps bringing one hand to your heart center and offering yourself any words of inspiration and peace that your heart is calling for.
I am receptive.
I am creative.
I am passionate.
I am loving.
I am content.
And drawing your awareness back to the physical body,
Gradually deepening the breath.
And if your eyes were closed,
Blinking them open to take in the space around you.
May you be happy.
May you be healthy.
May you be safe.
May you be peaceful.
Thank you for sharing your practice with me.
