The three-step breathing space.
This is a simple practice you can do anytime,
Anywhere to check in with yourself.
Take a moment to settle into a posture that is comfortable for you.
Perhaps you prefer standing or maybe you're sitting or lying down.
I'll guide this meditation as if you're sitting.
Choose an alert posture,
Noticing your feet grounded on the floor.
Feeling the weight of your body on the chair or the surface beneath you.
And if it feels comfortable for you,
Closing your eyes or gently gazing down into your lap.
Step 1.
Taking a moment to notice how you're really feeling right now.
Tuning in to the sensations of your body.
What do you notice?
Is there any tension or discomfort?
Are there any pleasant sensations?
Or perhaps you don't notice anything,
And that's okay.
Noticing any feelings,
Emotions or thoughts.
Simply noticing what is there,
No need to pass judgment or change anything.
Just checking in with yourself.
Step two.
Now taking your attention to your breath.
Noticing the sensations as you inhale and as you exhale.
Where do you feel the breath?
Perhaps noticing the rise and fall of your shoulders as you breathe in and breathe out.
May be noticing the expansion and subsiding of the ribcage with the inhale and the exhale.
Or perhaps feeling the swelling and subsiding of your belly as you breathe.
Maybe you feel the subtle movements of the breath in the front,
The sides and the back of the body.
Just focusing on your breathing as it is in this moment.
Noticing this breath.
And this breath.
Step three,
Now expanding your attention,
Noticing the space around your body.
In front of your body.
Behind your body.
And to the sides.
Gently expanding your attention beyond your body.
Perhaps noticing signs or smells around you.
Noticing the light on your face.
Perhaps feeling the air around you and noticing the temperature on your skin.
If you have your eyes closed,
Gently blinking them open as you return to the space you're in.
And as we bring this practice to a close,
I invite you to take this increased awareness into the rest of your day.