Be kind in your discovery as you cultivate a loving friendship with yourself through observation and awareness
~leora
A word to consider as we explore how we feel– Ahimsa
Ahimsa is a Sanskrit word. It means nonviolence, no harm. No harm in thought, speech, or action.
Ahimsa is the 1st ethical code of the Yamas.
Yama’s are a set of ethical codes of conduct and part of the 8 limbs of Yoga. Like a set of directions on our personal moral compass. If we listen carefully these codes are whispered to us throughout our day, and if broken we” feel” it somehow.
The Challenge – 3-5 minutes a day take a pause in your day to pay attention, listen to your body, and notice how you feel, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
- Being consciously kind to yourself in thought, speech & action
- Bring awareness to your body, and the space it occupies
- Bring awareness to your breathing
- Notice how you feel
The Practice – Sit, stand, or lay down
Starting right where you are- Safely stop whatever it is that you’re doing, close your eyes, or soften your gaze.
Being kind in your discovery, notice how you feel.
How does your body feel? Does your body feel heavy, out of balance, achy, bloated, or weak? Does your body feel good, rested, strong, healthy, or balanced?
How is your mind? Is it scattered, disturbed, stupefied, dull, alert, focused, and clear?
How is your breathing? Is it deep, or shallow, is it smooth or edgy, are your inhalations and exhalations about the same? Are your inhalations rolling smoothly into your exhalations, or is there a pause in between the inhalation and exhalation? Notice the sound of your breath? Is it loud and raspy, or soft, quiet, and peaceful?
- If sitting, sit up, with a straight back. Lengthen the spine, chin parallel to the floor, hands resting in your lap, feet flat on the floor or extended out, legs relaxed. Close your eyes or soften your gaze.
- If standing, bring awareness to the 4 corners of your feet, feeling the strength and stability of your legs, and hips. Arms relaxed, resting alongside your body, lengthen your spine, chin parallel to the floor.
- If lying down, arms are resting gently alongside the body, the right hand is placed on the lower abdomen, and the left hand is placed on the heart center. The head is resting on a thin pillow. If you have lower back issues, a rolled blanket, pillow, or bolster is placed under the knees for support.
Breathe with a loving & nourishing intention- Take 3 -5 complete breaths (A complete breath is a relaxed, steady breath without force, a complete breath is a full inhalation and a full exhalation). Now take 3 -5 more complete breaths, this time, on the exhalations relax the shoulders and the back body, softening and releasing any tension in the shoulders, spine, and back body with each exhalation.
Release your efforts, and return to your normal breath. Notice how you feel.
How do you feel? How is your mind? Is there a difference between the 1st moment of awareness compared to the 2nd point of awareness? Be kind in your discovery. Can you breathe and let go peacefully? Can you inhale nourishment? Can you release and cleanse on the exhale?
Resting here as long as you like before returning to your day.
~Namaste
The Benefits – This exercise is about being still. It’s about paying attention and listening to your body, it’s about noticing how you actually feel. It’s about being consciously kind to yourself.
When we pay attention to how we feel we are allowed to assess. In the assessment, we can then begin to explore healthy solutions if we are not feeling optimal.
This exercise triggers the vagal brake, calms, strengthens, relaxes, and rebalances the nervous system while restoring our sense of peace. Shifting the discomfort of anxiety, giving space to act instead of reacting, thinking before speaking, and responding with kindness and thoughtful word choices when in conversation with ourselves or others.
This exercise gives us space to be with ourselves and in this space, we can start the self-awareness conversation of getting to know our bodies. There is a huge payoff in establishing a solid foundation of self-awareness without harm.
Quote: “ Take responsibility for your actions without beating yourself up, relax into the innocence of your Soul” ~Pandit Rajamani Tigunait
Thru soulful eyes 