Alafia,
Welcome beautiful soul.
My name is Danika and I'm honored to share this sacred practice with you today.
Before we begin,
Let's take a shared moment together.
Find your way to a comfortable seat,
Whether that's on a cushion,
In a chair,
Or wherever you feel supported.
If you have a warm cup of tea with you,
Wonderful.
If not,
Perhaps a glass of water or simply imagine holding something warm and nourishing.
This practice honors the ancient tradition of connecting with plant medicine through mindful presence.
Let's start with one deep breath together.
Breathe in slowly and breathe out,
Releasing any tension you might be carrying.
Beautiful.
Today we honor an ancient practice,
The wisdom of our ancestors who knew that healing flows through plants,
Through presence,
Through community.
If your mind wanders during this practice,
That's not failure,
That's simply how minds work.
When your thoughts drift,
Gently guide your attention back to this moment,
Back to your breath,
Back to your connection to the healing wisdom we're about to explore.
The magic isn't in perfect stillness,
It's in that gentle returning.
Be patient with yourself,
Be kind.
Now,
Settle deeper into your support,
Feel your body finding its natural rhythm of rest.
If you're holding tea,
Notice its warmth against your palms.
Feel the steam rising,
Carrying the essence of plants that grew in soil,
Were kissed by rain,
Touched by sun.
This isn't just a drink in your hands,
This is centuries of wisdom.
As we connect with these plants,
We honor our ancestors who knew these remedies.
Every grandmother who brewed healing teas,
Every elder who passed down plant knowledge,
They live in this moment with us.
Take a moment to set an intention for this practice.
What would you like to release today?
What would you like to invite in?
Perhaps you're releasing stress,
Inviting peace.
Perhaps you're releasing disconnection,
Inviting presence.
Perhaps you're releasing doubt,
Inviting trust in your inner wisdom.
Let this intention settle into your heart like warm honey into tea.
If you have tea with you,
Take your first mindful sip now.
Let the warmth travel down your throat into your chest.
Notice the flavor,
Perhaps earthy,
Floral,
Or spiced.
Feel how your body receives this nourishment.
This tea traveled from earth to cup to support you.
The rain that nourished these plants,
The hands that harvested them,
The soil that grew them,
All present in this moment of connection.
Whether you're drinking tea,
Water,
Or simply breathing,
You're participating in an ancient exchange.
Plants have been our teachers,
Our healers,
Our companions since the beginning of human time.
Feel this connection expanding from your cup to your heart,
From your heart to the earth,
From the earth to the vast network of wisdom that flows through all living things.
You are part of this web.
You belong here.
Your presence matters.
Now,
Keeping your tea or water close,
Let's invite your body to soften.
We'll move through your body like warm tea moving through you,
Gently,
With intention,
With care.
Starting at the crown of your head,
Let your scalp soften.
Release any tension in your forehead.
Let it smooth like still water.
Soften your eyes,
Your cheek,
Your jaw.
Let your face become peaceful.
Drop your shoulders away from your ears.
Create space between your shoulders and neck.
Feel them releasing downward.
If you're holding tea,
Take another sip.
Let it remind your heart that it's safe to relax.
Your heart works so hard for you.
Let it rest into this moment.
Let your arms soften,
Your hands.
If you need to,
Gently stretch your fingers and let them rest.
Breathe into your chest,
Your ribs expanding gently.
Let your belly be soft.
No need to hold anything in.
Your body knows how to breathe,
How to be.
Now,
Your lower back,
Your hips,
Places where we hold so much.
Send breath here.
Send kindness.
Let these strong parts of you soften into your support.
Your thighs,
Your knees,
Your calves.
Your feet,
Which have carried you to this moment.
Send them gratitude.
Let them rest.
Feel your whole body now,
Supported,
Softened,
Connected to this practice,
This wisdom,
This moment.
As you rest in this softened awareness,
Let's simply be present together.
Feel any warmth you might be holding.
Notice your breath moving naturally in and out.
Sense the aliveness in your body.
Whatever arises,
Restlessness,
Sadness,
Joy,
Memories,
Thoughts about tomorrow.
Welcome it all with kindness.
There's nothing wrong with you in this moment.
There's nothing you need to fix or change.
You are exactly as you should be.
Your ancestors' wisdom flows through you.
Their resilience lives in your breath.
Their love moves through your heartbeat.
If you're holding tea,
Take another mindful sip.
Let this simple act remind you that nourishment is always available.
Peace is always possible.
Not through perfect circumstances,
But through pausing,
Breathing,
Returning to yourself.
Rest here in this knowing.
You carry medicine within you.
You carry wisdom.
You carry the healing your community needs.
In a moment,
You'll return to your day,
But you can carry this calm with you.
This connection to ancestral wisdom,
To plant medicine,
To your own inner knowing.
This travels with you.
Take one more intentional breath in and a long,
Slow exhale out.
If you have tea remaining,
You might finish it now or save it to enjoy mindfully later.
A reminder of this practice,
This connection,
This moment of honoring both ancient wisdom and your present moment needs.
Before we close,
Place one hand on your heart.
Feel it beating.
This is the rhythm of your ancestors,
The drum of life that connects you to all who came before and all who will come after.
Thank you for sharing this practice.
Thank you for honoring these traditions.
Thank you for choosing presence,
For choosing healing,
For choosing to remember who you are.
Go forward today with patience for yourself and trust in your inner wisdom.
You have everything you need within you.
Rest in that knowing.
Rest in that truth.
And when you're ready,
Slowly return to your day.
Au revoir.
