So there are a bunch of different grounding exercises,
Different things that you can do to help bring yourself into the present moment.
You know,
Sometimes just taking that deep breath and feeling where we are in time and space,
Like what my body is touching,
What I can feel,
Is enough.
And sometimes,
You know,
We need a little bit more assistance.
So I want to go over an experiential practice on grounding with you.
And the theme for it is to just come back to the body in the present moment.
So as we get ready to move into this practice,
I want to just clarify that it's not about clearing your mind or doing it right.
This is simply just an opportunity to notice where your body is and how it's being supported in this moment.
And you can follow along in whatever way feels comfortable for you.
If it feels okay and safe,
You can close your eyes or you can soften your gaze.
And just notice your breath.
You know,
Our breath is something that happens automatically.
We don't have to think about breathing,
We just breathe.
Yet,
It's also something that we can modify if we bring attention to.
So maybe it feels good to just slowly deepen your breath a bit.
And on the exhale,
See if you can exhale slightly longer than the amount of time you inhaled for.
I'd like you to bring your attention to any points of contact that your body has,
Whether it's your feet on the floor,
Your hands on your knees,
Your body in the chair.
Wherever part of your physical being is touching and coming into contact with something else,
Just notice it.
Notice any sensations that you can feel here.
Maybe there's a bit of temperature difference or pressure.
Maybe you feel a little bit of energy moving and there's a tingling sensation.
Or maybe you just feel stillness.
Come back to your breath and see with each exhale if you can allow your body to settle a little bit more into where it is already.
If your mind wanders,
That's okay.
That's what minds do.
Simply notice that's what's going on and gently bring your attention back to your breath,
Back to your body.
Feel where you are in time and space and just breathe.
Take your hand and intentionally place it somewhere on your body that will feel grounding.
Maybe that's your chest,
Your belly,
Your thighs,
And just receive this grounding energy from you back into the body.
Notice the rhythm of your breath,
The rise and the fall,
And the steadiness of being here.
There's nothing required of you.
There's no place for you to be.
In this moment is exactly where you are needed.
And you are allowed to be exactly as you are in this moment.
As we begin to close,
Take a moment to notice how you feel.
Without judging it,
How do you feel physically in this moment?
How do you feel energetically in this moment?
And how do you feel emotionally in this moment?
Again,
There's no right answer and there's no wrong one either.
This is a practice of meeting ourselves where we are at moment after moment.
Some people feel calmer,
Some people feel more present,
And some feel no different at all.
All of that and more is normal.
You may notice small moments throughout the rest of your day where you're able to drop in and get this sense of groundedness.
Maybe you're standing at your counter washing some dishes and this sensation of being grounded returns.
You drop in through your breath,
Connect to your body,
And your awareness.
This is accessible to you whenever you need it.
If any sort of gentle movement feels like what your body is asking for,
You can bring that in.
Maybe rolling your neck or dropping your shoulders or even just wiggling your fingers and toes.
Gently bring your attention back to the room that you're in and offer yourself a moment of gratitude for being here,
Present with yourself,
And giving yourself this moment of steadiness and groundedness.
And then when you feel ready,
Open your eyes.
