This is a meditation I do regularly. Usually when I find myself walking around carrying far too much tension and feeling sore and achy. May you find it equally beneficial as a guide for your stress reduction.
Take a deep breath. Siva Hir Su- the quintessence of all that is, is good.
Take another deep breath and begin to remind yourself that you’re off the hook. For the duration of reading this, your body can take a break. Just as though you are done with work for the day.
Deap breath and imagine: drop your bag, kick off your shoes, loosen your clothes, and sigh. A big full heavy sigh of relief.
Breathe: Let your shoulders drop and your head float. Let God help your muscles and joints find alignment. Easy, gentle, small movements, just a slight sway, a wobble into comfortable alignment. Ask God to guide you and ask your cells to listen for that guidance.
Relax and follow the movements. Breathe through every shift. Eventually you will begin to feel mostly comfortable.
You might feel a few catches or tight areas. Places that didn’t relax into receiving easily.
They are holding onto something.
Ask each spot what it is holding onto, then remind it that is doesn’t have to. That letting go for a little while is ok. You’re not responsible for anything in this moment, you don’t have to worry about anything in this moment, you can just be you.
If the areas relax then make sure to remind them to listen for God. Remind them to let God guide them and keep them relaxed. To let God maintain balance and alignment.
If you find there are still spots that are stiff or tight, think about what might be causing it. Sometimes it’s a habit, sometimes it’s just stubborn from repetitious overuse, sometimes the muscles are missing something.
If it’s repetitious overuse or stubbornness, try giving into the need. Think: ok, go ahead and stay tight, I’m not making you relax. That eliminates resistance. You can also try thinking about the last time you know that particular muscle relaxed. Was it a massage, or soak in a hot tub. Sometimes thinking about that area having been relaxed reminds the muscle how good it feels to do so.
If the muscle is missing something, then thinking of things it might be missing can be relaxing. I worked on one person who probably tanned nude because thinking of warm sun on the skin, helped their glutes relax. I had another person that responded to thoughts of a spouse’s touch. I had another that their legs loved the feel of a warm sandy beach. Whatever your body craves, if you think of those things it will help release even the most suborn tension.
When your whole body feels completely relaxed, just breathe for several minutes. Enjoy the sensations of relaxation. Then remind your brain that it can relax too. It has just as much right to let go of everything and totally relax. I call it power saver mode. You’re still awake but zoned out. That’s a perfect place to be. Give yourself several minutes of just breathing while in power saver.
Always remember to thank God for helping find relaxation. God loves to be appreciated as much as we do, and it helps the process go easier and easier each time you practice.
Thank yourself for giving your body the relaxation time it needed.
May you all find easy relaxation. May you feel your body in good and pleasant ways. May you know God is helping you. May you find a way to let every cell relax.
Siva Hir Su
