the daily practice: a grounding way to start your day
It was September 2020: wildfires were raging in Marin where I was living, and we were still living in deep pandemic times. I was also recently single, waking up alone for the first time in years, and reorienting to the fact that now was a good time to ask - what now? What are the new foundations I want to welcome into my life, that could really make a difference for me?
Among the things I felt ready for was finally committing to a morning practice, but I didn’t know what that looked like.
I also had a good amount of anxiety I was waking up with, so that had to be part of the consideration of how I approached this morning practce. For transparency, 5 years later, I still go through cycles of this. Though its usually less intense, as I am more resourced and practiced in how to be with myself in these waves.
So, I knew a traditional sitting only meditation probably wasn’t going to serve me. I wasn’t ready to just sit. So I pieced together pieces from my yoga trainings I thought would be grounding, slow enough to feel meditative, engaging enough to keep me present, and ultimately something enjoyable and doable on a daily basis.
I started doing this practice that I now call the Daily Practice, that was what we would call in nervous system terms “within my capacity” - it engaged me, at just the right amount, and was soothing to the nervous system. That intuitively felt like: arriving in stillness, moving into pranayama (breathwork) with holds, to both energize and ground me. Then moved into slow, enjoyable movement, a bit of chanting, and back to sitting still and with myself.
What’s great about this practice? It works on the level of regulating the nervous system - with breath, guidance (words) and movement. These principles are some ways we support nervous system regulation.
How we practice:
It is 1. SLOW & STEADY.
Slowing down is key. In order to feel our bodies, feel the ground beneath us, and connect to a sense of safety in the present moment.
2. JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT of challenge.
One of the common threads for creating conditions in which healing can happen, is finding just the right amount of stimulation to feel present and connected. When practicing early in the morning, there is a certain way that can move us in a good and healthy way.
3. PLEASURABLE & SOOTHING.
Creating opportunities for self-soothing and allowing in pleasure, is one of the keys to healing trauma, and I have found, to deepening into spirit. Opening to pleasure, even in small amounts, like feeling your mind become more spacious as you do breathwork, can really be a positive upward AND sustainable cycle. Learning to welcome in small amounts of pleasure each day has been a lifechanging practice for me, and many I’ve worked with.
How Does the word pleasurable make you squeal or turn away? It has for me in the past. Pleasure doesn’t have to be about sex. Though it very much can be.
Pleasure and feeling good is one of the key for healing and allowing for more capacity to feel good. Particularly for women.
Who is this practice for?
While this practice is open to and can benefit truly everyone, it is specifically designed to support people who feel regularly navigate feels of overwhelm, stress, feeling easily distractable.
What we practice:
showing up everyday without making it a big deal.
grounding in your body, and in connection to the earth.
Resourcing in small amounts. Notice safety, goodness, pleasure.
Staying with the body. Focused loving attention.
And activating your heart to move in connection with your body and mind. Ie: “I trust my heart. I trust my own goodness. I trust my power”
What is the goal of the morning practice?
To feel supported to practice everyday, in a way that is doable.
It’s to help you reconnect to a healthy rhythm, and way to start your day.
In a way that is integrative, easeful, healing and empowering 3 week journey.
It’s not necessarily to get you to practice everyday for the rest of your life. It’s about creating an opportunity to feel a small shift in your day, that can open up new possibilities for healing, a greater sense of stability and groundness, and unlock newfound joy and presence in your life.