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When you go to the beach, park a walk in the country side how do you engage with the environment? Do you just let wash over you, looking out to the far horizon? Enjoy the feeling space, the freedom from four wall end enclosure?
I would like to invite you to spend a little of your time mindfully engaging with you surroundings. By deeply connecting with nature we also deeply connect with our inner selves. I would like to share a couple of adventures with you.
What’s happening outside affects me inside.
Find somewhere to sit if it dry otherwise somewhere you can stand.
Take a deep breath in counting up to 4. Don’t strain. When you lungs feel full gentle exhale count to 8. Again do not strain.
If it’s comfortable for you close your eyes. If not soften your focus to mid distance.
Take one more deep breath like before make the exhale longer than the inhale.
How are you feeling? Calm? Anxious? Curious?
How is your body feeling? Any areas that feel tight ? Any that are loose and soft? Patches of warm or coolness?
Now listen for the faintest natural sound you can hear. Do not try to identify it. The mind will want to learn what it is. But just let the sound be a sound. Be with that sound for 30 seconds to a minute. Don’t get hung up on the duration just enough time for that sound to be with you.
How are you feeling now? Do you feel different than before? Remember no judgement if you don’t feel any different that’s fine. If you do feel different can say how? Do you feel calmer, more connected with your surroundings? Less connected with your surroundings? There is no right or wrong, good or bad. We are just being with what is.
How about your body? Has anything shifted here? Again it’s an observation non judgement it’s just what you find. Have the areas of tightness softened? Do you feel colder or warmer?
Stretch. Stamp your feet and come back into the world.
You can do this exercise anywhere, on a train, in car (not driving!) sat at home. But for me it’s more powerful sat in natural or a park environment.
You may wish to journal about this. More about journal in the next article.
Grounding. What’s under your feet?
Remove your shoes and sock if you’re wearing any and stand on a natural surface. i.e. not tarmac, or paving. As above we are going to calm our systems using breath.
Take a deep breath in counting up to 4. Don’t strain. When you lungs feel full gentle exhale count to 8. Again do not strain. You out breath should be longer than your in breath.
If it’s comfortable for you close your eyes. If not soften your focus to mid distance.
Check in with yourself:
How are you feeling? Calm? Anxious? Curious?
How is your body feeling? Any areas that feel tight ? Any that are loose and soft? Patches of warm or coolness?
Bring your attention to the soles of your feet.
What do you feel? Can you sense the textures of the ground? Is the ground warm or cool?
Raise your toes one by one in a wave starting with the little toe. Then put them back down.
If you like open your eyes and go for a little walk slowly. Always paying attention to what’s under you feet. How does it feel? Can you sense the change in textures as you more?
Find some stillness.
If your eyes are open or focused. Close them or take a soft focus.
Check in with yourself:
How are you feeling? Calm? Anxious? Curious?
If this different than when you started? No judgement if nothing has changed that’s fine too.
Stamp your feet and come back into the world.
You may wish to journal about this. More about journal in the next article.
Like to know more? Why not book a free exploration session?
