Practice: Somatic Grounding
(Audio & Transcript)
In today’s practice, I’ll be leading you through an exercise that blends meditation with somatic grounding. If you aren’t familiar with somatics, this is simply tuning into our body’s sensations and movements with mindful awareness, unlocking the body’s natural ability to find calm and develop resilience. There’s no wrong way to participate. Everything I ask is simply an invitation. If there is a suggestion to move or make contact with your body, you may consider simply focusing on the sensation you notice instead if you don’t feel comfortable doing those actions. Ultimately, just be curious about the experience. And as we settle in, you may wish to close your eyes or rest them in a soft gaze. And let’s begin with our first breath together, in through the nose and out.
Become curious about your posture. How are you seated in your chair or on the bed beneath you or on the floor? Is your weight shifted to one side or the other? Do you feel any areas of ease? Where might you feel some tension? And take a moment to assess if the current posture is how you want to be for the next few minutes. You may ask yourself if it would be more comfortable to relax back into your chair or to sit straight up closer to the front. You may even choose to stand or lay down if that feels right for you.
Now ask your body if it would be willing to allow just a little bit more ease in. See if you’re able to allow your jaw to relax, letting the teeth fall away from each other. Allowing your facial expression to droop into a neutral position. Allow your shoulders to fall slightly further away from your ears. And let’s see if we can also allow our bellies to relax just a little bit more to bring a bit more breath in. Deep in through the nose and out. Maybe check in with the hips, the thighs, your calves, and your feet. Allowing a little bit more ease.
