Hello dear friend!
I hope all is well with you. 🙂
Well it’s official–the spring weather has finally arrived! Everything looks so vibrant and full of life. There’s a noticeable shift in energy–you can feel it in the air. What was once dormant is now reawakened. It’s almost like the northern hemisphere is taking a deep breath and stretching after a long rest.
If you’re feeling called to it, I have a somatic practice you might enjoy. Please take a moment to read over the steps before you begin.
Somatic Practice - Grounded Presence:
- Find a comfortable seat of your choosing, either seated on a chair or on the ground. If you’re sitting on a chair, please allow the soles of your feet to connect fully with the earth.
- I invite you to gently rest your palms on your thighs with your palms facing down.
- Take a slow, nourishing breath in through your nose. On your exhalation, either soften your gaze or close your eyes–whichever option feels best for you.
- Allow your breath to settle into its natural rhythm, following its gentle ebb and flow.
- As you breathe, kindly bring your awareness to your body and the points of contact with the surface supporting you. If you’re sitting on a chair, notice which parts of your feet feel deeply connected with the earth. Feel the weight of your pelvis as it settles into the surface beneath you, and observe which side feels more grounded. I invite you to meet these sensations with curiosity and compassion, simply noticing what’s present.
- In your own time, visualize tree roots extending from everything connected to the earth beneath you–your feet and your sit bones. Picture these roots reaching and spreading deep into the earth. What do the roots look like? Notice their colour, their texture, their thickness. How far and wide do they spread?
- On your next breath in, imagine a warm, steady current of calming energy rising from the earth, flowing up through these roots, and into your body. Let this energy move through you, gently filling you with a sense of calm, ease, and grounded presence.
- On your next exhalation, imagine releasing any tension, worries, or stressors from your body–letting it flow down through the roots and into the earth, where it can be held and transformed into love.
- I invite you to continue this breath work and visualization practice at your own pace. Allow this calming, easeful, warm, and peaceful energy to gradually fill your entire body with each inhalation. And with every exhale, release what no longer serves you.
- As you explore this practice, observe what sensations are present–this might be warmth, tingling, relaxation, hunger, spaciousness, or emotion(s). Simply observe what’s present, without judgement.
- After a minute or two, observe whether you feel more connected to the earth. Can you sense the earth rising up to meet you, offering unwavering support?
- When it feels good, gently release the visualization, and invite your breath to settle into its natural rhythm.
- I invite you to bring your awareness to the sounds around you, the temperature of the air, and the sensation of your palms resting on your thighs.
- Invite some gentle movement back into your body–wiggle your fingers and toes, explore some shoulder rolls, and perhaps an upper body stretch. Let these mindful movements gently reawaken your body.
- When you're ready, I invite you to open your eyes, and slowly reorient yourself to your space. Take a moment to notice five things you can see around you.
- Finally, I invite you to check in with yourself. How do you feel now? Do you feel more connected to the earth, more present in your body? What thoughts, emotions, images, and beliefs are present? Feel free to take a few moments to jot down your experience and reflections in a journal.
Thank you for exploring this grounded presence practice with me. This is a practice you can return to anytime you feel overwhelmed, unsteady, anxious, or when you need a moment to come back to yourself.
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Update:
I have exciting news to share with you!
I was recently accepted into a master’s program–and yes, I absolutely did a celebration dance when I found out!
This program resonates with my past experiences, honouring the many paths I've walked. It aligns beautifully with the vision I hold for what I hope to offer to both the Yoga with Rachel community and the community I reside in. I've spent time reflecting on how I can build on the work I'm already doing to better serve our world, and I wholeheartedly believe this program is an essential part of fulfilling this mission.
As I move into this new chapter, I’m giving myself the time and space to explore what this program will require of me, both in terms of time and energy. My intention is to continue creating new practices to support you along your journey. That said, maintaining balance and taking care of my well-being is essential, as it influences how I show up for myself and our community. Therefore, I may need to adjust how often I share new practices, and they likely won’t follow a consistent schedule.
In relation to these letters, I'll likely send one whenever I create a new practice.
Thank you so much for your patience, understanding, and support! I’m so grateful for you and for our community.
Throughout my week, there are moments when I pause, smile, and feel a wave of gratitude wash over me as I think about our community.
I’m deeply honoured that you take the time to read these letters and choose to share your practice with me.
It is an honour to be a part of your journey, and I feel so grateful that you’re part of mine.
Next month, I’ll be sharing two new somatic practices with you! I look forward to connecting with you on the mat soon.
Wishing you a lovely day and a wonderful week ahead!!
Love & Light,
~ Rachel
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