RETURNING TO SELF
This Hatha yoga practise is useful for bringing you into balance when you feel scattered. It reconnects you to your body and your breath, teaching you to listen to the subtle cues and signals from the body that will help you relax. Although you are lying down, this is a fully conscious pose, in which you can practise being awake, yet totally relaxed.
NEED TO KNOW
BENEFITS: rejuvenation, improved circulation, better posture, sense of calm.
TIME: 5-10 minutes or as long as needed, daily or as needed.
HOW: put a cushion under knees if necessary, lie on your back on a firm, flat surface, start with eyes open, mouth closed, chin down slightly.
THE PROCESS
Lying on your back, become aware of all parts of your body and invite relaxation with light stretching. If you need to, adjust your position so that you are completely comfortable.
When ready, close our eyes and soften your jaw, taking your awareness inward. Focus on nose breathing and slow it down, deep rhythmic breaths will gradually relax your body.
As you inhale through your nose, be aware of the breath as it fills your lungs. Notice that your abdomen rises. Without pause, exhale through your nose, your abdomen will fall naturally as air leaves your lungs.
Let rhythmic breathing take over as the inhale and exhale flow into one another. Continue for as long as you can maintain awareness of how you react to the process. When you re ready to finish, roll over and come into an upright position.