practice: re-meeting your body

Your body is waiting for you to come home to her one gentle step at a time.

Here’s a practice to meet her.

Like going on your favorite hike, make a plan to meet your body. This doesn’t have to be something you do every day. You determine the frequency. How often would you like to spend time with just yourself? Every day? Once or twice a week? Make a commitment that feels like a gentle nudge but also possible.

To prepare, carve out 10-15 minutes when you won’t be disturbed. You’ll also need a mirror. A hand mirror is fine to begin.

Start standing in front of (or holding) your mirror with your eyes closed. Be close to the mirror. Not so much that you’re touching but enough so that when you open your eyes you only see your face.

With eyes closed, take a moment to breathe. Notice where you feel your breath in your body.

Notice what sensations are present.

Is your heart racing? Do you feel excited? Nervous? Eager?

When you feel ready, open your eyes. Look only at your eyes. What do you see? What do you see that you appreciate? Stay with this for 3 to 5 breaths. This is plenty of work for one day. If you’d like to end here, you can move on to the next step next time.

If you’d like to continue, take a step back to take in your whole face. Focus on what you see that you appreciate. Look at your whole face, top to bottom, left to right. Notice your cheeks, freckles, laugh lines. What do you love about this face? Let yourself touch your face. Explore. Notice what sensations are present in your body. Notice what memories arise. Stay with this for a few breaths. When you feel complete, thank yourself and take a moment away for the mirror to notice what is arising. You may also journal about the experience. What is your body showing you?

Continue with this exercise gradually taking more steps back until you’re able to take in your whole body. Rather than focusing on imperfections, this is a practice of noticing what you like about your body.

As you begin to feel more comfortable with your body, you may try this exercise with your clothes off. Again, notice what you appreciate.

Take some time after each practice to journal on what you’re noticing.

Close your practice by thanking your body and acknowledging the hard work you’re showing up for.