This is a short relaxation called Slow Me Down.
It can be used for us to find some peace in this busy world we share.
Find yourself somewhere comfortable,
Somewhere peaceful,
Somewhere you're not going to be disturbed.
Ideally,
Laying flat on the floor on a yoga mat or on a bed,
But if you prefer,
You can sit in a comfortable chair.
Just bring your awareness to your breath.
Just checking that you're warm enough and that you're comfortable enough.
Using cushions and blankets to help if needed.
And as you settle into your relaxation,
Just allow the breath to slow down and feel yourself sinking into comfort.
Feel the body spreading,
The shoulders widening,
The back lengthening.
Just feel the support underneath your body as you melt into comfort.
Bringing your attention into your feet and just allow them to soften.
Bringing your awareness into your calves and knees.
Just allow them to be heavy.
Let the thighs soften.
Be aware of the buttocks spreading.
The hip joints relaxing.
Bringing your awareness into your belly and just allow all the internal organs to sink back towards the spine.
Creating space for everything to work as it should.
Breathing into the chest.
Feeling expansion with every breath.
And then release.
Just allowing the body to breathe.
Let the spine be long and relaxed.
Your shoulder blades widening.
Bring your awareness into your throat and neck.
And just release any tension.
Allow the hands to be soft.
With the palms open.
Let the arms and shoulders soften.
Let your head be heavy.
Release any tension in the face.
Being aware of the forehead.
Releasing the jaw.
Relaxing the eyes.
In pools of darkness.
Eyelids heavy with rest.
Slow me down and ease the pounding of my heart by the quietening of my mind.
Allow me to steady my hurried pace in my daily life.
Allow me to find calmness of mind amid the confusion of each day.
Release the tension of my mind and nerves and muscles with the slowing of my breath.
And help me to understand and appreciate the restoring power of sleep.
Help me to enjoy each moment of each day.
To take small breaks.
Small moments just to slow down.
To look at a flower or the trees around.
To chat with a friend or smile at a passerby.
To notice if someone seems sad or in need of help.
And to become just more aware.
Of the world around.
Taking small moments to just be and not feel life is always about doing.
Let me breathe easily and calmly in every moment.
And let me help others to do the same.
So stay a while and just be with yourself.
Start to take slightly deeper breaths.
Slowly bring your awareness back to your place in this room.
Gently moving your fingers.
Gently moving your toes.
Gently moving your head from side to side.
Just getting some movement back into the body.
On the next in-breath,
Take your arms overhead.
And have a lovely stretch up into your fingertips.
Down into your toes.
Bringing your arms down with a yawn or a sigh.
And have another stretch if you'd like one.
And when you're ready,
Just turning onto your right side.
To take a few moments to recover.
