Foundations: Softening

The foundation of your practice is important. These short recordings highlight components of preparation that serve to deepen your practice.

In preparation for meditation or breathwork, use this practice to train the body to unwind, release, and soften.

Transcript

Softening the body.

I'm sure you've been instructed in meditation to relax the body.

The word relax always seemed like too big of a jump after a hectic day but somehow for me the word soften invites a gentle unwind.

Softening the body can be an art in itself.

My mind bucked the first time I was guided into six points of softening but after much practice this now seems like a gift and one that I will share here.

So first we start by softening the hands as if you're opening your hand to receive the touch of a newborn.

So with no need for being,

Just receiving.

Soften the palm and let that extend out to each finger.

Then bring that same sense of softness to your feet.

First releasing the arches,

Softening the toes,

My mentor would add,

Soften all the way to the bones.

Letting that tension dissolve.

Next bring your attention to your eyes and release the intent focus and allow your lids to close.

Softening from your eyebrows to your cheekbones.

Feel your eyes drop down and back away from your lids a bit.

Inviting a release through all of those small muscles.

Moving to the ears.

Feel a melting sensation down your scalp and around your ears.

Softening the outer ear.

Then bring that softness to your inner ear canal.

Release the clench of your closed mouth.

Allow your tongue to be soft in the bottom of your mouth.

You may also part the lips and release and exhale here.

Take a deep inhale and then exhale downward to the ground.

Allow all of the softness we've cultivated here to land in your root.

Releasing the pelvis,

Softening the grip on your low belly.

Release.

The six points of softening work in tandem to allow your mind and body connection to sync up.

Hands.

Feet.

Eyes.

Reviews

Wow- one of the most relaxed - actually softened- I have been in awhile. Great guidance for beginners, or for meditators who want a little more intentionality in their practice. Thank you for this!