Body Gratitude

Use this meditation to focus your awareness on gratitude, and especially your specific physical body gratitude. Gratitude is the highest vibrational frequency we can operate at and it literally nullifies fear, anxiety, and stress. Instead of focusing on what our bodies can't do, let's practice a little gratitude together for all of the gifts it offers us and CAN do.

Transcript

This is a body gratitude meditation adapted from yoga for pain relief by Kelly McGonigal. To begin this practice bring yourself into any comfortable supported position such as laying on your back with your knees bent, Seated. This gratitude practice is an opportunity to reflect on how your body has supported you. Your body is not separate from your courage, Your strength or your journey through life. Take a moment to feel your whole body, Including any sensations of discomfort and pain. See if you can take note of these sensations without letting them take over your full awareness. Then notice some part of your body that feels a sensation of comfort or ease. It might be your eyelid, Your pinky finger, The soles of your feet or your belly. Wherever you find yourself in touch with that feeling, Stay with it for a few moments. Let your awareness rest on how that part of the body feels. Then one by one reflect on different parts of your body with gratitude and appreciation. Ask yourself how has this part of my body supported me in life? How has it allowed me to engage in life? Your answer may be literal or symbolic. For example, The heart literally fuels the entire body, Moving oxygen to every cell in the body. So in this way, The heart supports every action you have ever taken. You might thank your heart for giving you the opportunity to experience each moment of your life. Or you might thank your heart for metaphorically being the center of love in your life, For connecting you to those who you love. You might thank your feet, Which literally help you stand and move through life. Or you might thank them for symbolically helping you stand up for what you believe in. Sometimes this meditation brings up sadness along with gratitude, Especially if you find yourself thinking about things that your body can no longer do with ease. You may also find yourself feeling critical of some part of your body. And this is normal and important to acknowledge and create space for. Notice those emotions, Possibly of sadness or grief. And then notice if there's still room for gratitude. It may be gratitude for a simple action you have done today. Maybe it is the hands that made a meal or the mouth that enjoyed that meal. Choose one or two more body parts, Investigating to see if you can create room for gratitude. Could be your legs or your hips, Your belly or your lungs, Your face or your sense organs of your mouth, Nose, Ears, And eyes. Spend as much time here going through different body parts you are grateful for. If you're ready to finish the practice, You can bring your awareness back to your breath and place your hands somewhere on your body where you can feel the movement of your breath. Repeat to yourself, Thank you for this breath. Thank you for this moment. As you're ready, You can return to your day gently, Kindly, Slowly.