A mindfulness practice to listen to your body.
This practice is all about getting into the habit of listening to the messages from our bodies around food,
Our mood,
Our emotions.
Our bodies are built to let us know when they need to eat and when they've had enough.
And it's about observing how food makes us feel and the signals our body sends us about taste satisfaction and fullness.
Mindful eating requires us to simply acknowledge and accept rather than judge the feelings,
Thoughts and body sensations we observe.
This practice is to help you to get to know your body,
How it reacts to food,
Your environment.
And the way we do that is to listen mindfully.
This includes being aware of what's happening inside your body,
Inside your mind and in the world around you.
This will allow us to be curious and make observations about ourselves,
About the foods we eat,
We can notice our moods,
Our energy levels,
Our general posture,
Our stress levels and also our basic hunger and fullness levels.
So close down your eyes and settle into a comfortable position.
Draw your awareness inwards.
Observe your breath.
Feel the rise and fall of your belly and chest as you breathe in and out.
If there's any pain or discomfort in your body,
Go ahead and take a moment to adjust yourself.
And then settle in a little deeper.
Relax a little bit more.
Keep your awareness on the breath.
And if you feel your mind wandering or spinning with thoughts,
As it sometimes does,
Just bring your awareness and attention back to the breath.
You may even silently say,
Breathe in as you breathe in and breathe out as you breathe out.
Your body is so wise,
My love,
And it's always communicating with you.
And all you have to do is unlock its wisdom by tuning in and listening to what your body is saying to you.
What is she telling you right now in this moment?
What does it need?
Just listen in silence for a bit.
Maybe you've been feeling pain.
What is your body telling you to do to relieve this pain?
Maybe you're feeling too hungry or too full.
What do you hear your body say?
Once your muscles have been tense with stress or anxiety,
How can you help your body release this?
Maybe your body is exhausted and craves sleep.
How can you give your body what it needs?
Maybe it's been telling you it's scared or feels unsafe.
Recognize all the ways you are experiencing this in your body.
This might show up in the belly or the chest,
The throat,
Muscles,
Your breath.
Just listen to your body.
What does it need right now?
Take some time to listen.
Bring your hand to your heart.
Become aware of the warmth of your touch and silently say thank you to your body.
Take the time now to honor whatever your body has just communicated to you.
If you need more time just sitting here and connecting in communication with your body,
Please take your time and do so.
If you're ready to come out of this guided communication with your body,
Gently bring your awareness back into the room where you're at.
Slowly and gently deepen into your breath.
Invite movement into your fingers and toes and slowly when you're ready,
Open your eyes.
Thank you for taking this journey in communication with your body.
Namaste.
