Welcome,
Some of you might know me as Teresa,
Others as Ms.
Flockhart.
I know many of you are preparing for advanced placement exams or perhaps finals and it's time to take a five minute break from your studies to reset,
Rejuvenate so you can go back and have more success,
Knowing that taking care of your mind and body will ensure greater success.
Be sure that you're drinking enough water.
Many of us are walking around dehydrated,
So if you have water near you,
Perhaps taking a sip,
Thinking about your sleep schedule.
Are you allowing yourself enough time to get your rest?
When was the last time you ate and was it a healthy option that made you feel good?
Have you been practicing some movement?
Maybe taking a break and if it's available for you,
Taking a walk outside or even going up and down the stairs somewhere to move around.
And knowing this is just a reflection,
It's not an assignment,
It's not to start judging whether or not you're doing those things,
But just knowing that you can perform better if you do those things.
So finding again that comfortable position,
Sitting alert but not stressed,
Thinking about where your shoulders are,
Bringing them up,
Back and down.
Thinking about where your heart is,
Sitting up straight,
Imagining a string coming from the top of your head,
Pulling up into the universe and just noticing your breath.
Notice how long your inhale is and then how long your exhale is and if it's comfortable inviting your inhale and your exhale to elongate by one second.
So if it was three seconds,
Perhaps four,
If it was four seconds,
Perhaps five.
I will guide you in four breaths together.
Know if the breath is too short,
You may elongate it.
If it's too long,
Shorten it.
Before we begin,
Close your eyes if you're comfortable,
Knowing you can open those eyes at any point or you can have a soft gaze in front of you,
Knowing you can shut those eyes at any point.
Please take an inhale,
Two,
Three,
Four,
Pause,
Exhale,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Inhale two,
Three,
Four,
Exhale two,
Three,
Four.
Inhale two,
Three,
Four,
Exhale two,
Three,
Four.
Inhale two,
Three,
Four,
Exhale two,
Three,
Four.
Now taking four breaths on your own,
Not worrying about how you're breathing.
Know your body knows how to breathe and as your mind wanders,
Just inviting it back to focus on your breath.
And as you're breathing,
Thinking about your upcoming assessment,
Knowing that your body will become perhaps a little nervous or anxious,
Thinking of it as a challenge,
Not a threat.
Knowing if you put in the time,
You'll do your very best.
Coming back to taking pauses every once in a while,
Taking care again of your mind and your body.
And before you come back to the room,
Think of somewhere,
Some place,
Something you're truly grateful for,
Opening your eyes,
Lifting your gaze.
Welcome back.
Best of everything in your study.
Be well.
