So today I'm going to guide you through a meditation that's been designed to encourage deep rest.
So you can emerge from today's practice with your mind and with your body feeling truly replenished.
So go ahead and take some time to get settled in a comfortable and relaxed position in a quiet place with minimal distractions.
And once you find yourself in a comfortable position,
Begin to close your eyes.
And remember that if you prefer not to close your eyes today,
That's okay.
What you can do instead is allow for your eyelids to become nice and heavy.
And you'll notice that as your eyelids become nice and heavy,
Your eyes close about halfway and your vision becomes relaxed.
Begin your meditation by observing your natural breath.
As you inhale,
Notice the air move through your nose,
Allowing for your lungs to expand.
As you exhale,
Notice the air move through your nose,
Allowing for your lungs to relax.
As you inhale,
Notice the air move through your nose,
Allowing for your lungs to expand.
As you exhale,
Notice the air move through your nose,
Allowing for your lungs to relax.
Continue to follow the rhythm of your breath,
Breathing both consciously and with purpose.
Allow for all concerns that may be clouding your mind to exit your mind and your body as you breathe out.
Give yourself permission to temporarily let go of any obligations,
As tempting as they may be.
This time right now is just for you,
A time to relax and rest without expending any effort.
In this time of rest,
As you take long breaths in and as you take long breaths out,
Notice as your mind becomes replenished,
Your body becomes replenished.
Your entire being from head to toe is completely replenished.
Making way for long breaths in and making way for long breaths out.
And at this time,
If you do find any external thoughts,
Any external concerns,
Begin to re-enter your mind.
Please know that it is okay.
The mind will always wander,
For that is the nature of the mind.
Through the practice of yoga,
You strengthen your ability to have a single focus,
Naturally quieting the chatter of the mind,
Allowing for you to truly rest.
And we refer to this concept in the yoga sutras as chitta vritti nirodha.
So gently shift your attention back to the ever present and ever continuous rhythm of your breath.
And allow for that breath to serve as your singular focus.
Long breaths in and equally long breaths out.
Long breaths in and equally long breaths out.
And know that any time you feel overwhelmed or are simply looking for a way to disconnect,
You can choose to rest,
Choose to nurture the essence of your being in stillness and in quiet,
Much like you've done today.
You have every right to feel rested and to feel replenished.
And now we're going to move through five guided conscious breaths.
Gently remind yourself to keep both your inhales and your exhales very long and very steady.
Inhale.
And exhale.
One.
Inhale.
And exhale.
Two.
Inhale.
And exhale.
Three.
Inhale.
And exhale.
Four.
Inhale.
And exhale.
Five.
Thank you for joining me in this meditation today.
Please have a restful and peaceful day.
