The trees are letting go. What about you?

The leaves are turning, and the trees aren't clinging to a single one of them.

They let go when it's time.

No drama.

No pile of regrets.

The tree just gets on with the winter.

So what are you holding on to right now that you could put down for a few minutes❓
I don't mean the big stuff. I mean the tight shoulders. The clenched jaw you didn't know you had until someone mentioned it.

The to-do list that has been running on a loop since breakfast.

Today I am sharing a short relaxation, just a few minutes to reset your day.

What this practice is

It's a short guided relaxation I recorded in autumn. You can lie on your back (in yoga we call that savasana), or you can sit.

Either is fine.

What we do

We start small, with the face, because that's where a lot of us hold on without knowing.
Swallow. Let your throat soften. Check your teeth aren't clenched. Let your jaw go. Let your tongue go soft. Let the muscles around your eyes release.

Your mind will keep thinking

It always does. You don't have to stop it. You simply don't need to give those thoughts any of your time or energy for the next few minutes.

Then the breath

Breathe in through your nose for a count of four.

Pause for a moment.

Breathe out for four.

Pause

If your mind is busy, counting gives it something to hold on to.
When you're ready, try making the out-breath longer.

In for four, out for six.

The out-breath is the one that lets go, so we give it a little more room.

At the end, a quick check

Are your shoulders softer?

Your jaw?

The muscles around your eyes?

What thoughts are knocking?

What are you feeling?

No judging, no marks out of ten. Only noticing.

Why I like it

What we practise lying on the floor is what we can carry into an ordinary day.

Letting go of the shoulders in the supermarket queue.

Letting go of the jaw in the middle of a phone call.

It's a few minutes of rest from the world, ease in your body and mind, and a little revival for your soul. Quietly, with no special equipment.
👉 Watch the recording here

If you'd like to talk about what you're holding on to, hit reply or leave me a comment.
Linda x