Welcome,
So glad that you're here today.
The four weeks of Advent are broken down into themes.
This week,
Joy and peace.
Romans 15,
13 says,
"'May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace.
'" The Advent season is an opportunity for growth,
Restoration,
And renewal.
It's an opportunity for self-reflection and opportunity to renew our faith.
Let us prepare our hearts now as we take time to rest in the midst of this often busy time of year.
If you have any stretches or movements you'd like to do before finding rest,
Please do so.
When you're ready,
Make yourself so comfortable.
Create the rest nest of your dreams using any kind of props,
Blankets,
Pillows,
Yoga blocks,
Bolsters,
Anything else that will facilitate rest for your mind,
Body,
And spirit.
As we move into some breath practice,
You may wish to bring a hand to the heart,
Maybe a hand to the belly,
Or some combination of that.
Take the next few moments to simply bring your whole self to this space.
Closing the eyes if that's comfortable or having a soft gaze.
Feeling the God-given breath in your body.
Breathing in joy.
Bring a little bit more detailed awareness to our breath now in keeping with the theme of Advent this week.
Let's breathe in joy and out peace.
Breathe in joy all the way to your heart.
Breathe out peace so that it surrounds you.
Breathe in peace all the way to your bones.
Breathe out peace to the world.
Take a few more rounds of breath,
Breathing in joy and breathing out peace.
When you're ready,
Allow your natural breath to take over.
You're welcome to keep your hands where they are or allow them to find a more comfortable place as we gently and slowly move into a body scan or rotation of consciousness.
As we breathe in peace,
Allow your hands to find a more comfortable place as we gently and slowly move into a body scan or rotation of consciousness.
Check in with your body once more here,
Adding in any props that might add to the comfort level that you've been supported.
We'll begin at the top of the head,
Bringing awareness to the top of the head,
Maybe feeling a connection to the spiritual level here,
Gently bringing awareness to the back of the head,
Letting the whole head begin to feel heavy and supported,
Bringing awareness to the face,
The forehead,
Eyes,
Nose,
Cheeks,
Ears,
Lips,
Mouth,
Inside the mouth,
Teeth,
Gums,
Tongue,
And the whole head,
The forehead,
Eyes,
Nose,
Cheeks,
Mouth,
Inside the mouth,
Teeth,
Gums,
Tongue,
Chin,
Jaw,
Maybe open and close that lower jaw a time or two,
Maybe swallowing a time or two to help clear the throat,
Letting the whole head and face soften and feel supported,
Bringing awareness now to the shoulders,
Shoulder blades,
Upper arms,
Elbows,
Lower arms,
Wrists,
Hands,
Palm of the hands,
Tops of the hands,
And each finger,
And the whole body,
Bringing awareness now to the entire back,
The whole length of the spine,
Upper back,
Mid back,
The whole spine,
The whole spine,
The whole spine,
The entire back,
The whole length of the spine,
Upper back,
Mid back,
Lower back,
Letting the entire back feel supported,
Feeling the entire torso,
Feeling supported,
Bringing awareness to the side bodies,
On around now to the ribs,
The lungs,
The abdomen,
Allowing the entire torso to soften and feel supported,
Bringing awareness to the entire pelvic bowl,
Bringing awareness to the entire pelvic bowl,
Allowing the entire pelvic bowl,
Including the glutes,
To soften and feel supported,
Bringing awareness now to the hips,
Thighs,
Knees,
Lower legs,
Ankles,
Feet,
Soles of the feet,
Tops of the feet,
All the toes,
The whole spine,
The whole spine,
Tops of the feet,
All the toes,
Allowing the entire length of both legs to soften and feel supported,
Bringing awareness now to the feet,
The toes,
The ankles,
The ankles,
Now we will focus on certain parts of the body.
If you are able to,
You can pause there for a moment for a prayer before moving on to the next body area.
Bringing awareness now to the right side of the body,
The entire right side of the body,
Bringing awareness now to the entire left side of the body,
The entire left side of the body,
Bringing awareness now to the entire backside of the body,
The entire backside of the body,
Bringing awareness now to the entire front side of the body,
The entire front side of the body,
Bringing attention or awareness to the entire lower half of the body,
Lower half of the body,
Bringing awareness now to the entire upper half of the body,
The upper half of the body,
Bringing awareness now to the entire lower half of the body,
Bringing awareness now to the entire lower half of the body,
Taking a few breaths here,
Breathing in joy and breathing out peace,
Breathing in joy as the lungs expand,
Breathing out peace so that it surrounds you,
Breathing in joy all the way to your heart and breathing out peace to the world,
Allowing your natural breathing to take over and checking in with the heart here.
Is there anything special on your heart that you'd like to pray or ponder?
As we enter into a time of stillness for meditation,
Reflection and prayer,
Enjoy this time of rest and I'll guide us back together in just a bit.
As we enter into a time of stillness for meditation,
Reflection and prayer,
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