Feeling a little frazzled?  If life seems a little overwhelming and you really do the feel the need to calm down and get grounded, try this meditation exercise. Jenny Weston is a certified practitioner of Polarity Bodywork and Psychotherapy. This meditation can be done whilst being seated if you prefer. Chose a firm chair with a straight back to help keep your spine upright.

This meditation is about being able to stand up straight in a relaxed and flexible manner. It is a useful meditation to do if you are feeling scattered, forgetful, unable to concentrate, anxious or panicky. It is about focusing on giving yourself a foundation and structure, to create a stable base from which to move forward. It is also a great technique for public speakers and actors who feel nervous prior to a performance or presentation.

I use this technique a lot with children who have Attention Deficit Disorder. Often children with this condition have a hard time focusing their attention on one thing and therefore they tend to move around a lot. This meditation helps them to learn how to stand still and centre themselves. Standing still is an acquired skill often for children with this disorder, but the meditation gives them list of things to do in order to be still. A paradox indeed, but it works.

It is also a basic practical meditation and good for beginners who identify with their body more than their breath.

Stand up straight with your legs hip width apart and distribute your weight equally in both legs. Notice your posture and relax your neck and shoulders, unlock your knees and bend them slightly, arms should be straight by your side (not crossed or folded). Now imagine an invisible cord that runs from the top of your head down through your spine and sacrum. This cord holds your body in an upright but relaxed position. You should be standing straight and relaxed, not rigid. If you have trouble balancing in this position imagine a kangaroo tail jutting out from your sacrum and curving on the ground behind you supporting you. Notice where the tension is whilst you hold this position and focus on relaxing. It may feel unnatural at first, especially for children with ADD (they will fold their arms and shuffle their weight from side to side) but with some coaching, encouragement and regular practice they will begin to learn how to be comfortable in stillness.

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To ground yourself further, imagine you are a tree. Notice where your attention is at the moment. Perhaps it is in your eyes as you read this meditation. When you are ready to meditate, put your attention down, through your body into your feet. When you can feel your feet on the floor then imagine big, thick, tree roots growing down into the ground. As you do this meditation, over time you may experience a sense of being very solid, earthed and unmoveable. A wonderful feeling!

JENNY WESTON (S.H., P.E.P.T., BA(Hons), MSc.) is a certified practitioner of Polarity Bodywork and Psychotherapy. Her website ‘Nourishment for Difficult Times’ is dedicated to women survivors of gender based violence and shows meditations and techniques to aid healing from deep wounds to improve quality of life. She offers online one-to-one therapy sessions and meditation workshops.

Visit: www.healingmeditations.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Tags: meditation