How to use your body to soothe your mind.
Calm Practice
Inner Connection
This simple, soulful practice helps connect you to your innate wisdom, intuition and needs.
- Place your hand on your heart and close your eyes if it is safe to do so; if not, soften your gaze downwards. You might like to place your other hand over your belly, connecting with your ‘gut feeling’ and intuition.
- Come into stillness. Your only movement is your breath. Notice your thoughts.
- Observe the sensations under your hands as you tune in to your heart space and belly.
- When you have settled into your body, ask yourself, “What do I need?” Sit and wait patiently, observing what comes to mind.
There is no right or wrong answer. Don’t force yourself into an answer. Just allow space and listen.
You may have a thought, urge, impulse or need that surfaces seemingly out of nowhere. Say to yourself, “I see you, I hear you, I honor this need.” You might choose to go and meet that need, or you might come back to your breath again and ask, “What else?”
It might take some practice before you notice an answer. Many people spend years of their lives disconnected from their own needs, shutting down their own desires and putting others above themselves. Over time this may have become a reflexive habit of people pleasing.
Your nervous system unconsciously does this to keep you safe; it isn’t your fault.
Practices like this help to build a bridge back to your authentic self and begin to hear and honor your needs.
Reference
Ballagh, R. (2024). Inner connection. 101 Ways to Find Calm: How to Use Your Body to Soothe Your Mind. P. 170-171.
