There are ways to practice accessing awareness on your own to support your healing. Of course, opportunities come up often enough in your daily life, however, at those times you are probably feeling the most vulnerable. When you are feeling vulnerable [private_membership circle] it is usually difficult to access skills that have not yet become habits.
At home you can use music and create your own opportunities. Put on a piece of music and place yourself in a comfortable place and in a comfortable position. Allow yourself to connect to the rhythm of your breath’s inhale and exhale. Notice how you are feeling. Experiment with being present with the feelings without any effort to change them. You may notice active chatter in your left brain about how silly this is or how this is not going to work or that you don’t have the time right now. That is just fine. Be with the chatter and don’t try to change it!
Now notice what is happening in other parts of your body. What are the feelings that are emerging for you? Are you feeling sadness, worry, excitement, or boredom? Do you notice any physical sensations? Tightness in your chest? Butterflies in your tummy? Tension in your shoulders?
Wow, this may feel like a lot of work to JUST be aware of whatever is happening in your body; chatter in your left brain, feelings, and physical sensations. For me, this is more complicated than reading — and most of us have to be taught to learn how to read. Most of us were not taught this practice that I am sharing with you. To master it will provide you with tools to guide you in feeding your body in healthful ways.
If you choose to practice, give yourself the freedom to practice small – if you start to feel overwhelmed by feelings, just stop. You can pick it up again when you are ready. Also give yourself the freedom to practice for just a short time, and build from there.
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Robin Okun, LMSW, is a certified Nia Instructor, Movement Therapist, Center for Eating Disorders, Director of Mindful Movement Studio, Ann Arbor, MI, 734-395-2624, robinokun@gmail.com
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