Stress is when our bodies are knocked out of balance.
There is a certain chemical coherence in our bodies,
And when this coherence is knocked out of rhythm,
The body responds with stress hormones to maintain its equilibrium.
This is a perfectly natural response in our bodies,
Until overactive.
Overactive stress hormones run havoc on the cells of the body.
Our bodies just weren't designed to be in emergency mode for extended periods of time.
Some of us stay stuck on emergency mode,
Forgetting how it feels to live in harmony and balance.
Regaining your internal balance is essential for good health.
A wise man once said,
Stress is not what happens to us.
It is our response to what happens.
And response is something we can choose.
Be wise in your choices.
Have the self-awareness to respond rather than react.
And remember,
Your body is your temple.
Take a moment to send yourself in this present moment.
Find yourself a comfortable position for this practice.
Maintain a nice,
Straight back.
Place your hands on your knees.
Or palms facing up,
If you wish to lay down for this practice.
Quickly close your eyes and mouth.
Take a few moments to settle into your position.
Let's start by taking some deep breaths.
Breathing in through the nose,
Breathing out through the nose.
In through the nose,
Out through the nose.
In through the nose,
Out through the nose.
In through the nose,
Out through the nose.
In through the nose,
Out through the nose.
Pay attention to your breath.
What does your breath feel like?
Now pay attention to your hands.
What do your hands feel like?
Pay attention to your feet.
What do your feet feel like?
Pay attention to the contact points between your body and the surface.
Now pay attention to your body.
What does your body feel like?
Keep your attention anchored in your body's aliveness and intensify the aliveness in your body.
Only control your exhale.
Exhale for as long as you can using your nostrils.
Then exhale all the remaining air from your body by using your mouth.
Allowing your inhalation to happen naturally.
In through the nose,
Then through the mouth,
Expelling every last bit of air.
Suck your belly right into your spine,
Ensuring you release all the air out.
Following this breathing pattern,
I want you to feel your body becoming lighter and lighter with each exhale.
Set the intent to completely relax your body.
Use your exhale to release all the tension from your body.
Exhale for as long as you can using your mouth.
Completely let go.
Let go of the outside world.
Let go of your thoughts.
Let go of your ideas.
Let go of your concepts.
Now let your breath go.
Allow your natural breath to take over.
Breathing in through the nose.
Breathing out through the nose.
Breathing in through the nose.
Breathing out through the nose.
Just focus your attention on your body's relaxation.
Be aware of a relaxed area in your body.
Now take this relaxation to your feet.
Feel your feet becoming relaxed.
Your ankles,
Knees,
Thighs.
What do your legs feel like?
Your legs are now feeling very relaxed.
Pay attention to your stomach.
Chest.
Relax your arms.
Now feel your shoulders.
Breathe in and out of this region for the next few moments.
Drop your shoulders,
Allowing them to relax.
Spread this relaxation throughout your whole body.
Breathing in through the nose.
Breathing out through the nose.
In through the nose.
Out through the nose.
Allow each breath to take you into a deeper state of relaxation.
Breathe in and out of this region for the next few moments.
Breathe in and out of this region for the next few moments.
Breathe in and out of this region for the next few moments.
Breathe in and out of this region for the next few moments.
Breathe in and out of this region for the next few moments.
Breathe in and out of this region for the next few moments.
