Welcome to today's daily dose of Simone Biles dedication and self-care.
Simone isn't just known as a legendary gymnast,
She's also a trailblazer for prioritizing mental health and well-being.
By stepping back when she needed to and returning stronger,
Simone taught us that self-care isn't a detour from greatness,
It's an essential part of the journey.
Her decision to take a break reminds us that true strength lies in knowing when to pause,
Recharge and return with clarity and focus.
Simone's story shows us that consistency paired with self-compassion forms the foundation of excellence.
Each small steady step we take builds confidence in our abilities and by honoring both our goals and our well-being,
We pave the way for true greatness.
Start by sitting upright but without it being uncomfortable.
Make sure that the front of your body is open so as to receive the full range of your breath.
Close your eyes to turn your attention inwards and start breathing slowly through your nose.
Become entirely still,
The only thing moving in you is the air coming in and out of your nostrils.
Now notice what's happening in your experience of this moment,
The different sounds around you,
The sensations of your chair or cushion beneath you,
And if you feel a particular mood today,
Notice how that mood manifests within your body.
Turn your attention to the sensations of your breathing and notice how your body is breathing on autopilot without you having to do anything but to observe this rising and falling movement.
Now,
Starting at the top of your head and all the way down to your toes,
Observe the sensations in your body with curiosity.
If you notice stronger sensations,
Slowly sweep your attention once again on this area and notice if they're linked to any particular emotion you're feeling today.
If at any point during this meditation you're distracted by thoughts,
Sounds or sensations,
It's perfectly normal and it's okay.
When you notice these thoughts,
Simply bring your attention back to your breath,
That is to the sensations of the air coming in and out of your nostrils or to the rise and fall of your chest or abdomen.
Follow your breath from the very beginning of the inhale to the very end of your exhale.
And now,
Simply by observing your breath,
Allow it to slow down so that the flow of air moving in and out of your body becomes thinner and thinner,
As if your breath was following the rhythm of tiny waves on a quiet beach.
When you follow your breath with your full attention,
It's as if you were diving in the depths of your inner ocean.
You can watch the waves of your thoughts and emotions from an area of calm and serenity.
If you get caught into one of these waves,
It's all right.
Simply bring your attention back to your breath.
Now imagine yourself on a gymnastics floor,
Ready to dedicate this moment to your growth.
Bring to mind a skill you want to cultivate in your life.
It could be a physical movement like a flip or a stretch or a broader skill,
Such as learning a new subject or strengthening a relationship.
Picture yourself focusing on one specific goal you'd like to achieve.
Perhaps it's acing an exam,
Recovering from an illness,
Perfecting a creative project,
Or mastering a new skill.
Visualize yourself breaking it down step by step,
Practicing each element with care and intention.
With every repetition,
Feel your confidence building.
You might stumble at first,
But you return to the skill again and again,
Refinding your approach each time.
Feel the rhythm of practice.
Try,
Adjust,
Try again.
Visualize how the movements flow more naturally until they become second nature.
Here and now,
With every inhale,
Bring to your body the pride in mastering something that once felt beyond your reach.
Now notice how your body and mind signal to you that it's time to take a step forward.
As you breathe,
Feel the balance between pushing yourself forward and knowing when to rest.
With each inhale,
Breathe in courage and confidence.
With each exhale,
Release any pressure to be perfect.
Imagine the face of Simone Biles smiling in front of you,
Recognizing your determination,
Resilience,
And balance.
She reminds you that stepping back is not a weakness,
But a wise act of strength,
An essential part of the journey to success.
Take a moment to appreciate how honoring rest allows you to recharge,
Refocus,
And return even stronger.
We're now going to focus on three affirmations to help you embody the dedication and self-care of Simone Biles.
As you breathe deeply,
Let these words resonate within you,
Syncing with the steady rhythm of your breath.
First affirmation.
I move step by step in the right direction.
Second affirmation.
I listen to my body and respect its limits.
Third affirmation.
Balance is the key to my success.
As you finish this meditation,
Carry with you the wisdom that taking care of yourself is not only a gift,
But a strategy for greatness.
Before ending this meditation,
Once again notice your current mood and observe how you feel when you're connected to the present moment.
You can now slowly come back to the space around you by noticing your surroundings,
Starting with the ambient sounds,
The weight of your body on your seat,
And when you're ready,
You can slowly open your eyes.
I hope you enjoyed this meditation.
I wish you a triumphant day,
And I'll see you tomorrow for another meditation.