This practice is a guided visualization practice.
Guided visualization is a way that we can imagine success.
Imagine ourselves carrying out on a self-care plan that will support our well-being.
When we use our imagination to plan around obstacles and plan for success,
It helps to increase our belief in ourselves,
Belief in our own abilities,
And the belief that we can meet challenges that lie ahead.
So I invite you to come to a position where you feel comfortable and supported.
This practice can be done lying down or seated,
And noticing where you're making contact with the surface beneath you,
And the parts of your body where you are feeling supported.
Bringing your attention to the eyes,
And start to softly close the eyes or bring the gaze downwards,
Noticing the heaviness of the eyelids,
Bringing your attention down to the jaw.
Separate the back teeth,
Creating a little bit of ease in the jaw,
Feeling the jaw become warm and heavy,
Softening through the front of the throat,
Bringing your attention to the shoulders,
Bringing the shoulders up to the ears and rolling them back,
And feeling the shoulders becoming warm and heavy as you rest back into the surface beneath you.
Bringing your attention down to the hands,
Soften the fingers,
Feeling the warmth and ease within the hands,
Bringing your attention to your belly,
Notice the gentle rising of the belly on the inhale,
And the soft and settling of the belly on the exhale.
Allow the attention to travel down the legs to the feet.
Let's gently start to wiggle the toes and relax the feet,
Making any small adjustments that is needed,
Noticing the gentle rhythm of your breath,
How the breath can just gently rock and caress you,
Now bringing to your mind's eye an image of you in your space,
Imagining yourself doing your yoga practice,
Your breath work,
Your meditation,
Your journaling,
Imagine that it's sunny outside,
And there you are,
Doing your yoga practice,
Your breath work,
Your meditation,
Your journaling.
Some days it's rainy outside,
And there you are,
Doing your yoga practice,
Your breath work,
Your meditation,
And your journaling.
Some days it will be snowy outside,
And yet there you are in your mind's eye doing your yoga practice,
Your breath work,
Your meditation,
And your journaling.
Imagine how it feels to be following through on your plan for self-care that is here to nurture and support yourself.
If it feels right,
Bringing a smile to the face,
Gently allowing the corners of the mouth to curl up,
Bringing your attention down to the heart and feeling the warmth of your heart,
Knowing you've taken this time to care for yourself.
You're worthy.
You're important.
You matter.
Bringing your attention back to where you feel the surface beneath you.
If the eyes have been closed,
Start to gently open the eyes and come back to this practice whenever you need a reminder,
And support in following through on your plans to nurture and care for yourself.
