Our emotions play out in our bodies. For this reason, it’s valuable for us to feel the sensations that come and go. This body awareness allows us to better understand our emotions early on. Early detection of our emotions allows us to better manage them and not get too caught up in them.

This meditation also allows us to be comfortable with our bodies. If you are prone to experiencing anxiety sensations, this meditation allows you to begin to trust your body sensations and not fear any of them. We learn that our body sensations are normal and come and go.

When we observe our body sensations, we can begin to learn to relate them to our emotions. We can then make the shift from “I am angry” to “I am experiencing anger in my body”. This ultimately places some space between us and our experiences and allows us the freedom to re-evaluate what is happening in a more balanced light.

Note: In the Sleep Aid Meditation, we removed the ending gong so you can use it as a sleep aid, and it will not wake you up when it finishes.

In your everyday life, you can use what you have learned in your meditation practice by noticing how you are feeling, refocus on what is present and conduct a three-breath practice.  You can do these as many times as you want throughout your day.  They are a great way to remind yourself of your learning and growing.  Best of all, they take less than a minute to do.