Remember – this space is where you will center yourself both before you start your independent work and when you meet with your team. It is a chance to set your intentions, create expectations for yourself, and understand your purpose.
While we cannot see if you are actually performing the practice or not, we ask you this:
- Do you have stress in your life?
- Do you have worries?
- Do you have challenges or fears?
- Do you have tough stuff you need to work through?
- If so, then have you ever tried focus on your tension to relieve it and to just breathe?
We bet you’ve tried lots of stuff because many of us try to distract ourselves from our pain and stress. Many of us try to find a way to forget about it. So how about this summer you give this a try each day and see how it goes. See if you find focus, balance, or a deeper understanding of yourself.
What do you have to lose?
None of us can see you try!
Important note: If you find yourself struggling emotionally or struck by difficult memories as you use this space please be sure to reach your instructor who can help you work through what might be surfacing for you.
You can also reach out to Michael De Vito at [email protected]
Or Doctor Ife Damon at [email protected].
If you feel you have an emergency please go to this website where you can call or text a mental health professional.
Now ~ Complete the Body and Breathe Check
Reminders:
1. Inhale fully in and expand belly muscles – about 3 seconds to fill the diaphragm
2. Exhale out and release and relax belly – Don’t force the air out.
3. Chose the most comfortable nose/mouth pattern.
Tips: Repeat this process for 10 to 30 repetitions. Go at your own pace and note you might get a little light-headed or even nauseous which is normal. While you do this practice try putting one hand on your belly and one hand on your heart so you can feel the rise and fall of your core and breathe into your whole body.
Through each breath focus you attention on your body. Find the remaining tension and let it go. If there is pain or discomfort identify the level of intensity. Breath into and through the discomfort and let it go.
As you finish your last breathe still your entire being for at least one minute. Keep your hand on your heart and belly. Try to feel the emotion(s) you identified on the wheel. Seek the emotion(s) out. See where it exists in your body.
Finally~ Journal and Circle Back
Remember to refer back to the statement you wrote about your physical state.
Questions to Consider:
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What is moving in me as I consider my practice?
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In hindsight – did I accurately assess my energy and mood?
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Is there a pattern to you often misreading the sensations you feel?
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Am I being honest with myself?
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What insight can I take from the experience today?
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Was I right about my body budget?
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Did my emotions shift as I was practicing?
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Where is the emotion showing up in my body?
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What do I think is causing this emotion?
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What foresight can you offer my future self?
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Can I write down and mentally rehearse what I want to do with what I discovered in the future?
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What goal can I set for myself?
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What can I give thanks for right now?
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The journaling process shouldn’t take you long maybe 3 to 7 minutes is all you really need to just get the thoughts out of your head. Do feel free to go as long as you feel you need to in order to discover something new.
Another New Beginning
You have reached the end of the practices, which is just the beginning of the next moment when you can take all that you have uncovered into life.
Go forth now into your SYEP Session and do your best to be as present in every moment as you have been just now.
~Peace and Love~
Resources for Healthy Living
Use the below websites and apps to find ways to ensure that you are able to better regulate your body budget.
