Welcome to the first episode of Embracing Your Body,
A three-part series to cultivate appreciation for the body.
Let's begin by finding a comfortable position,
Whether seated,
Standing,
Or lying down.
Allow your hands to rest gently in your lap or wherever it feels right.
Close your eyes or soften your gaze and start by taking a few deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Now,
Bring your attention to your feet and feel the solid ground beneath you,
The support of the earth.
Allow your body to settle into this sense of grounding,
Letting the floor beneath you carry your weight.
As you exhale,
Imagine releasing any tension or heaviness into the ground,
Trusting the earth to hold it for you.
Now,
Let's shift our attention to the breath.
Without trying to control it,
Simply noticing the natural rhythm of your breathing.
Observe the rise and fall of your chest and belly feeling the life-giving nature of each inhale and exhale.
Take a moment to acknowledge that your breath is always here to support you,
Just like your body.
From this grounded place,
Expand your awareness to the entire body.
Notice any sensations present,
Warmth,
Coolness,
Tightness or tingling,
Perhaps ease.
There's no need to change anything.
Simply observe with curiosity.
Allow yourself to experience the body as it is right now.
Taking a moment to acknowledge that your body is here for you every minute of every day.
The breath moves in and out without effort.
The heart beats and every cell works to keep us alive and we don't have to supervise or manage it.
And now let's take a moment to honor the body's strength and its ability to support us.
Imagine thanking your body for all it does for you,
Even in moments when you've been critical or unkind to it.
Place your attention on your feet and think about all the times today that your feet and legs have carried you.
Whether you walked,
Ran or stood still,
They were supporting you.
You may like to visualize the powerful muscles in your legs working,
Making it possible for you to move freely.
As you breathe,
You may like to silently thank your legs and feet for their strength,
Their reliability,
For all the ways they support you,
Even when you don't always notice.
Now let's shift our attention to our core,
The center of our body.
Feel the subtle support of your abdomen and lower back as they help you sit or stand tall.
Think about how this core strength keeps you balanced,
Whether you're bending down,
Reaching for something or simply maintaining your posture.
As you breathe in,
Appreciate the quiet,
Constant work your core does to hold you up.
With each exhale,
Honoring how it sustains you every day.
And now shift your awareness to your hands and arms.
Picture all the ways they've been there for you today.
Lifting,
Carrying,
Holding,
Typing,
Creating.
Notice the strength in your fingers,
Wrists and beautiful arms.
Imagine them doing their tasks,
Sometimes without you even thinking about it.
As you breathe,
Send a wave of appreciation to your hands and arms,
Thanking them for their strength,
Their ability to help you express yourself and connect with the world.
If it feels right for you,
Join me in repeating the following affirmations either silently or out loud if you'd like.
May my body and mind continue to be strong and healthy.
I am grateful for my body's ability to heal and support me.
May I find peace in accepting and appreciating my body as it is.
I honor my body's strength and I will treat it with kindness.
Take a deep breath in.
And as you exhale,
Let these affirmations settle within you.
Slowly begin to bring your awareness back to your surroundings.
Wiggle your fingers and toes and when you're ready,
Gently open your eyes.
Thank you for practicing with me today.
I hope this meditation leaves you feeling connected to the strength of your body.
In tomorrow's episode,
We'll focus on listening to the body's signals and treating it with care.
Hope to connect with you then.
