Mar 29 2020 24 mins
Body Scan Prep: (0:00) Meditation: (6:40) This episode is an introduction to the body scan. This is a mindfulness practice which focuses on present moment body sensations as an anchor of attention. The body scan is another way to cultivate greater awareness and calm. We are so often living (mostly) in our heads and not paying much attention to our body throughout the day. This practice can be a helpful way to thoughtfully and intentionally practice formal meditation while checking-in with what is actually happening in our body in the moment, non-judgmentally. There are many wonderful ways to engage the body and release tension and this is just one. This is quite different from progressive relaxation or muscle-tightening/ releasing and other body focused practices. This practice of awareness explores what is actually happening rather than trying to force something else happen. It's a gentle, guided practice and one which helps to foster conditions for creating a calm, receptive or even relaxing experience, rather than trying to "make" oneself relax. Try it out a few times and see what you notice. Many people find it enormously helpful before falling asleep or when they need a break.