Today I will be guiding you through an exploration of the body,
Inspiring gratitude as we go along.
Please find a quiet place to rest,
Encouraging your eyes to close when you're ready.
Resting within your body,
Take a moment to check in.
To pause everything and allow yourself the opportunity to connect with your physical body.
Begin to feel the rise and fall of your chest as you breathe.
Noticing the unique rhythm of your own breath.
And allow yourself to follow the breath as it moves in and out.
And out and in.
Now take some time to consciously disconnect from any mind chatter.
Overthinking or scattered thoughts may prevent us from engaging with our physical body.
And while the thoughts may not completely clear,
See if you can utilize the breath to create some space in between thoughts.
Anytime you feel your thoughts overwhelming or dominating your mind,
Clear them with a breath.
If self-critical thoughts arise as we move through the body,
See if you can soften or clear these in the same way.
Or shift your attention to a place that feels easier to hold with appreciation.
Now connect with your head.
Moving into the forehead and the face.
Consider your eyes and how important they are to you.
Note everything that they take in.
And how they help you identify faces.
Internalize information.
And appreciate beauty.
No two pairs of eyes are exactly alike.
Your eyes are completely unique,
Like snowflakes.
Consider the beautiful colors and the intricate dimensions of your eyes,
Noting how wondrous they are.
Connect with your ears.
Admiring their dynamic shape and their ability to listen.
To here.
Out loud or in your mind repeat.
Thank you eyes.
Thank you,
Ears,
As you sit in appreciation.
Connect with your nose and your mouth now.
Taking a nice deep breath in through the nose and out through the mouth.
Offer thanks to your lips,
To your strong teeth,
And to the tongue that allows you to enjoy every variety of flavor.
Repeating thank you nose,
Thank you mouth as you sit in appreciation.
Moving down the spine,
Feel the strength of the bones.
The bones that keep your body erect and moving.
Straighten your head,
Neck,
And back as you repeat.
Thank you,
Spine.
Thank you,
Back.
Now connect with your arms,
Bringing your attention all the way down to your fingertips.
Connecting with the muscles and the delicate bones of the hands.
Holding appreciation in your awareness,
Repeat,
Thank you arms,
Thank you hands.
Shifting your attention to the chest now.
Once again,
Noticing the gentle rise and fall of your chest and your belly as you breathe.
Feel your heart beating in harmony with the rhythm of your breath.
Repeating,
Thank you lungs,
Thank you heart.
Bring your attention to the belly,
To the abdomen now,
To the core of the body.
Breathe into it considering all of the organs that make up your strong core.
The stomach and intestines,
And there are many important jobs and functions.
Repeating now,
Thank you core,
Thank you belly.
Moving down into the legs,
Feel the strong bones here and the muscles that help you walk.
Connect with the feet,
Appreciating every tiny muscle and bone here,
And repeat,
Thank you legs,
Thank you feet.
If you notice your mind drifting into judgment as you explored your body,
Take a few moments to return to the areas where appreciation was a challenge,
If that feels right for you.
Sit with these parts of your body and allow any and all thoughts to come to the surface.
Good,
Bad,
Or indifferent.
Now clear the mind once again by utilizing the breath.
Creating space in between thoughts and a blank slate inside of you.
Making room for appreciation.
Breathing,
Clearing away difficult thoughts,
Doubts,
Or negative self-talk.
And seeing your body for what it truly is,
A remarkable vehicle,
A true gift.
Your body protects you.
It nourishes you.
It allows you to experience everything that life has to offer.
Take a few moments to treasure it,
Appreciating it for its uniqueness and divine beauty.
Feel appreciation flowing from the top of the head,
Blowing down the spine,
Into the arms and fingers.
Spreading through your chest and belly.
And then down into the legs and feet.
Feel your whole body glowing with gratitude.
Begin to let your breath return to a rhythm that is natural to you.
Easy inhales and exhales.
Open your eyes when you're ready.
Wiggle fingers and toes.
And return to your day with a renewed appreciation for your amazing and unique body.
