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The Challenge of Deepening Your Self-Awareness
Discover how to deepen your mind-body connection through simple daily practices that will transform your wellbeing.
When you turn towards yourself with a willingness to listen, you may hear the things that you have been consciously or unconsciously avoiding. This can be uncomfortable! Keep your conscious practices alive throughout the day - they will hold you when you feel wobbly. They offer an alternative choice when you have the urge to distract yourself rather than allow what is moving to move.
Introduction
By distraction, I mean things like snacking, procrastination, social media, TV, internet surfing, shopping, busyness, or whatever else you turn to.
Below are 7 helpful practices for staying present to yourself and allowing what is moving to move. When you have that urge to reach for distractions, remember - you have a choice.
Your response-ability is to choose how to respond. This is an ability that you master through practice. Progress, not perfection!
7 Practices for Staying Present
1. Left Nostril Breathing
As simple as it sounds - close off your right nostril with your thumb (fingers pointing to the sky) and breathe long and deep. Begin to extend the exhale.
If you need a mantra to anchor the mind, try "So Hum" which translates as "inhale, exhale." This mantra has the power to open you to your inner guide - your intuitive wisdom.
2. Walking in Nature
You know it works!
3. Grounding
- Walk barefoot on the grass, staying present to your connection with the Earth
- If that is not possible, sit with eyes closed and consciously connect with the Earth beneath you
- Feel yourself anchored into the Earth's core - this will help you feel held and centered
- In both cases, exhale your discomfort down into the Earth and inhale fresh Spring energy up from the Earth
4. Breath of Fire
One of the fastest ways to shift your mood and bring you back to the present moment. It also has many great health benefits - very cleansing!
Here is a 5-minute video you can use.
5. Stroking Each Arm
- Sit up and ground through your sit bones
- Close your eyes and breathe deeply
- Slowly stroke down your left arm, then your right
- Go back and forth between the two until you feel an inner shift
If you need a mantra, try: "This too shall pass."
6. Shake it Out
It only takes a few minutes to move that gorgeous body of yours and allow knots and tension to dissolve. Put on a funky track if you need to get in the mood!
7. Journaling
Write it down so it is on the paper and not in your head. Keep writing until you feel that inner shift.
Keep your conscious practices alive throughout the day - they will hold you when you feel wobbly. They offer an alternative choice when you have the urge to distract yourself rather than allow what is moving to move.