In this video I'll lead you through a relaxation for the whole body. We'll start at the top of the head and work our way down the body. I'll draw your attention to various muscle groups along the way and encourage you to see if you can allow them to do a little less work. Often times we hold tension in places like our jaw or shoulders and don't even notice it. In this video I ask you to notice and see if you can let a little go. Don't worry if you can't let the clenching go all the way. Even just allowing one muscle group to soften by 1% is a victory. I like to think of the image of cupping sand in your hand. If you were to release the tension even the tiniest amount the sand would shift and start to pour out. Try this relaxation over time and you'll notice it starts to get easier and easier. Eventually it will become second nature and you can do it while walking or in the midst of a conversation. But for now while we practice I suggest finding a comfortable quiet place where you can sit or recline. You are never stuck in the position you choose, if at any point you get uncomfortable feel free to stretch, move around, or shift. You're welcome to keep your eyes open or shut, whatever helps you to be present to your own body. Thanks for watching! Let me know your thoughts, how it worked for you and if you have any questions -Tori Marie
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Hiya and welcome to the Handmaid Blog! I'm Tori Marie, dance/movement therapist, doula, and birth photographer. This little corner of the internet is a place where I plan to share resources on mindfulness, relaxation techniques, comfort measures, guided imagery and breathing.
I've always found the body fascinating. One of my favorite things is helping people appreciate the awesomeness of what it is to be a person, body-mind-soul. I especially love helping people give themselves permission to be present in their bodies. So many of us were never taught how to do that. This is a place where I hope to help you explore how you can be more present in your own body. I'm not sure what brought you here today, maybe you have't felt at home in your own body, perhaps you deal with anxiety, maybe you're a mom looking to prepare for birth, maybe you've attempted mindfulness before but never quite got the hang of it, or perhaps you're just curious about how you can be more present in your body. I want this place to be a resource for you, so let me know what you are interested in learning! Throughout this blog I plan to pull from my experience as a dance/movement therapist and doula and share with you the things that other people have found most useful. I'll be posting mostly videos leading you through different types of experiences. I encourage you to not just listen, but try the different practices along with me. Experiential learning requires active doing not just passive listening. You might feel funny at times and that's okay. Try it anyways. Don't let the fear of feeling awkward keep you from exploring. I'm excited to get started, let's jump in! -Tori Marie |
Tori MarieThis is a place where I share tools on mindfulness, pain management, coping techniques and other useful thoughts associated with Handmaid. ArchivesCategories |