Hello,
My name is Eden Sky Orion and this is a practice for letting go of the day.
Start by setting up your space in a way that feels soothing to you.
Do something,
Just something small,
To shift your exterior environment and signal your mind that you're shifting into a more restful time of day.
This could be simply sitting with a different vantage point in your space.
It could be turning down the lights,
Lighting a candle,
Or changing into your most comfortable clothes.
Whatever small shift calls to you in this moment,
Make it a ritual by acting with the intention to make space to relax and unwind.
The time of doing has come to a close for today and now it's time to rest and be.
If it feels good to your body in this moment,
You can lie down and hug your knees into your chest.
Whatever position your body is in right now,
Start to bring your awareness to your lower back.
Gently move in any ways that feel good to your body in this moment,
Giving conscious attention to your lower back.
And in the process,
Slowly loosening the knots of the day.
Entering the present moment with a lens of curiosity and openness to your body's experience.
If you did hug your knees into your chest,
Relax them down now.
Rest your arms by your sides or somewhere on your body and start to become aware of the sensation of your breath.
Feel the way that your breath moves in and out of your body.
Notice how each inhale nourishes you and each exhale relaxes you.
We'll now practice tensing and releasing all the muscles of the body altogether.
Each time when we release,
Do so on your exhale.
Ready?
Begin to tighten and squeeze as many muscles as you can.
Make fists,
Clench your toes,
Your abs,
Your legs,
Your face,
Your shoulders.
Tighten,
Squeeze.
And now exhale and release.
Soften.
Feel your breath.
Feel each exhale bringing you slightly deeper into relaxation.
And again,
Tense and flex every muscle you possibly can.
Tense your jaw,
Your neck,
Your chest,
Your back,
Your glutes,
Your legs,
Your arms,
Your feet,
Your hands.
Tense your whole body.
And exhale and relax.
Relax your jaw.
Relax your face.
Allow your tongue to fall from the roof of your mouth.
Relax your chest and your belly.
Feel the sensation of your breath expanding into your lungs and into your belly.
Feel spacious in your hips,
In your hands,
In your legs,
And your feet.
Feel the current of your breath nourishing your entire body and being.
From this place,
Bring to mind one thing that you are grateful for in this moment.
Drive into this point of gratitude.
What does it feel like in your body when you experience this thing in your life?
What does it bring up in your mind?
What value does it add to your life?
And how might you express your gratitude and give back to this thing today?
With this recognition of gratitude,
Our practice is now complete.
As you open your eyes and return into the next part of your day or evening,
I invite you to take this sense of gratitude with you.
Perhaps write it down or express it in some way.
Know that each moment is a new moment.
Each breath is a new breath.
And tomorrow is a new day.
Thank you for practicing with me today.
Be well.