The present – a gift we give to ourselves
I practice and teach Awareness or Mindfulness; when we meditate or practice mindfulness we come back to the present moment, aware of what is going on in our bodies, our feelings, our minds, we can settle in the present moment in awareness and just be happy with that. I have found most helpful the meditation that keeps me grounded in the here and now and there is only one place for that, and that is the body. and believe it or not being mindful is the best thing that you can do for your body.
Meditation is not a religion, it is a method of mental training
So that we know ourselves by becoming more conscious; living in accord with our true nature and finding that life comes to meet us with more ease.
We can practice mindfulness throughout the day, anything that we do in daily life with full awareness is a mindfulness practice.
You can do the dishes mindfully, take out the rubbish, garden mindfully everything can be an opportunity for practice.
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein
Try this now; Pause, what are you aware of at this moment? What can you hear? Without effort, let sounds come and go like a wave rolling up and down the beach. Notice the coming and notice the going………. Listening to cars or an airplane as it gets further away gradually noticing that you can’t hear it anymore.
Sounds within the room, sounds from outside, sounds from within; gurgling’s, rumblings…….. How do you feel after even this short time of being present?
What can you see? Can you see something or someone in a different way, in a way you haven’t noticed before?
When Sheila Hocken regained her sight and first saw her chocolate brown Labrador she was amazed to see a hundred shades of brown. On preparing dinner – the reds and greens of the salad dazzled her, the simple business of washing the lettuce, the way the water glistened and swirled and catching the light making a waterfall pattern in the sink captivated her.
Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future; live the actual moment. Only this moment is life.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
Can you feel your breath moving in and out and the rise and fall or filling and emptying as that happens, like gentle waves rolling in and rolling out. Do you notice a pause at the end of the exhale?
How is your jaw? Let your mouth relax a little, let your tongue lightly rest at the roof of your mouth and gently bring the corners of your mouth up as if to meet your ears; smiling, notice how this position of your mouth feels, how was it before you smiled? Smiling increases feel good endorphins in your body and of others – when we smile at them.
Bring awareness to your body and feel it come alive!
If you would like to introduce more mindfulness, vitality and joy into your life, I am running a workshop on Saturday 21st March 11.15am – 2.45 pm at The Kinsbourne hall Harpenden. See poster below.
Re-Awakening Presence Vitality and Equilibrium
Exploring Mindfulness through movement and meditation
Learn how to meditate and to bring mindfulness into your daily life
Moving through life with awareness presence and choice….. A heart centred approach to your body and well-being.
My approach draws on my skills in Meditation, Somatic Movement, Visualisation, Relaxation, and my current training in Integrative Bodywork and Movement Therapy (IBMT).
Trust in the wisdom of your own body
Saturday March 21st at Kinsbourne Common Hall Harpenden AL5 3QE
11.15 – 2.45pm £35.00
For booking or further information Contact Susanne at: tel: 07711 847415
I always use a mindfulness approach in my Pilates Classes in Harpenden and St.Albans. Please contact Susanne for more information.
www.bodywisepilatesharpenden@gmail.com
Bring awareness to your body and feel it come alive!
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