One big thing I’m learning from – and sharing in – my work is the art of slowing down, of noticing what frees up in us when we let our body truly rest.

I’m making a practice of this – I make time for conscious resting! It’s less about trying to change anything in particular, and more about just experiencing slowing down; conscious daytime body rest. A few minutes, maybe more. If this appeals to you… here’s my way!

I lie on the floor, on my back, sometimes my legs bent at the knees, over a cushion, or onto the couch. I feel my body against the floor, and notice how it feels to take the weight off my bones, let my spine unfurl, hip bones rest, give my heavy head a rest from uprightness. I notice my muscles loosen, even just a little, maybe a lot.. doesn’t really matter… shoulders, neck … I soften my face and jaw, let my hands be quiet. I take a few deeper breaths, let my exhale just fall out. Maybe a sigh. Or a yawn. Or a chuckle.
 
And I just be there. Resting. Breathing. Eyes open or closed – whatever feels easy.
 
I notice that my heart rate drops, my breathing slows. My nervous system is down-regulating, finding its state of ‘rest and digest’. Even if just for a few minutes, or maybe more. Resting, awake, no specific goal other than that. My busy brain often moves towards a quieter place, not always, but it doesn’t much matter.
 
My body rests. I breathe more easily. 

I bring this into my work with individuals and with groups; an invitation to be in one’s body, and to experience learning from a more restful place. Seems we do well when not under pressure or threat, find more of what we want and how to choose more freely. Of course this makes sense – but experiencing this is different to ‘knowing‘ this. The art of slowing down, and the gift of conscious body-rest. 

Two new events in May:

One-day WHEEL OF CONSENT® workshops in Sydney and Melbourne Find out more here