What does it mean to slow down?
To stop reaching,
Pushing,
Fighting.
To just exist without the pressure to accomplish.
Thank you for deciding to slow down with me.
And for deciding to do it in a way that will tell your body it's time to take a moment.
If it feels right,
Bring your hand to your belly or your chest.
Together let's feel our belly rise as we breathe in.
And lower slowly as we breathe out.
Lovely.
Let's try that again.
Taking a deep breath,
Our belly rises.
And a slow,
Deep,
Full,
Out breath.
Emptying our lungs completely.
Where do you go when you slow down?
Where do you feel you are?
Sometimes I like to imagine myself sitting on a beach.
It's early.
The air feels cold in my nose and smells like the ocean.
And like the hot coffee in my hand.
My feet are resting in waves that move from my toes to my ankles.
And the water,
Once cold,
Feels like soft fabric moving over my feet.
I breathe in and the waves cover my feet and gently brush the bottom of my jeans.
I breathe out and the sea leaves me be.
Notice where you slow down.
Is it in bed after a long day?
In nature?
In the arms of someone you love?
And somewhere in your mind and let yourself be there.
Smell it,
Feel it.
Breathing in and out.
And every time your mind wanders,
Bring it back.
In and out.
Let yourself be slow.
I'm going to leave you in silence for a few minutes just to breathe on your own.
I'll be back.
I'm going to leave you in silence for a few minutes just to breathe on your own.
With every inhale,
Feel yourself elongate.
Move to create the space that feels good for you right now.
With every exhale,
Deepen.
Maybe into sleep.
Maybe into the knowledge that you can slow down.
You have it.
You have your breath.
Your slow and quiet space.
And the ability to find it whenever you need it.
Let yourself be gentle for the rest of the day or night.
Breathing in and out.
Let yourself drift.
Just let yourself drift.
Breathing in and out.
Breathing out.
Breathing out.
Breathing out.