Hi,
I'm Erin Heald,
A licensed mental health counselor and a registered yoga teacher based in New York.
And today we're going to take a few minutes to gently settle the body and soften any tension you may be holding.
If you feel comfortable,
You can close your eyes or lower your gaze,
Allowing yourself to arrive right here.
No need to change anything,
Just noticing your body and your breath.
Before we go inward,
Just take a moment to notice your environment.
Maybe noticing a sound or the feeling of the surface beneath you,
Letting your body register that you are here and safe enough in this moment.
Now,
Gently bring your attention to your breath.
No need to control it,
Just noticing how it's already moving.
And if it feels okay,
You might begin to slightly lengthen your exhale,
Letting the exhale be soft and unforced.
Now,
Bring awareness to your shoulders,
Noticing if there's any holding,
Tension.
And if it feels okay,
Allow just a small softening.
Not forcing,
Just allowing.
Moving to your jaw,
Notice if it's clenched or if there's any tightness and let there be a little more space.
Notice your forehead,
Are your brows bunched?
Is there any tightness or tension?
And allow it to soften.
Notice your hands,
Are they clenched?
Is there any tension or tightness?
And allow that softening to move to your hands.
Notice your stomach,
Is there any tension?
Try to let there be a little more space within your stomach and continue to slowly move throughout your body,
Noticing and softening where you can.
And you might notice some thoughts coming in or your mind wandering.
That's okay.
Just gently return to the breath and to your body.
And now,
Just allow yourself to rest here.
There's nothing to do,
Nowhere to go in this moment.
Just focus on the breath.
And when you're ready,
Begin to bring small movements back to your fingers and your toes.
Gently opening your eyes,
Notice what shifted even slightly and allowing that to be enough for right now.
Thank you.
Namaste.
Namaste.
Namaste.
