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    Body Scan Meditation

    February 6, 2019 1 min read

    Printable Worksheet

    Body Scan Meditation

    PDF·210 KB

    A mindful companion to this worksheet

    A mindful approach to body scan meditation

    “Body Scan Meditation” is an invitation to slow down and meet your experience with curiosity, honesty, and kindness.

    How mindfulness can help

    Mindfulness offers a steady place to stand while you work with any topic. Instead of being carried along by reaction, we notice what is here, sensations, thoughts, and feelings, and respond from presence rather than pressure.

    Gentle steps to try

    1. Begin with the breath. You might take three slow breaths before opening the worksheet, and let the body arrive.
    2. Read with curiosity. Move through each prompt slowly. Notice which questions soften you and which ones tighten you.
    3. Write what is true now. There are no right answers, only honest ones. What is true at this moment is what the worksheet is asking for.
    4. Close with one breath. When you finish, pause. You might place a hand on your heart and thank yourself for showing up.

    Insight does not arrive on a schedule. Trust the practice of returning, and the honesty you bring each time you do.

    Printable Worksheet

    Body Scan Meditation

    PDF·174 KB

    A mindful companion to this worksheet

    A mindful approach to body scan meditation

    “Body Scan Meditation” is an invitation to slow down and meet your experience with curiosity, honesty, and kindness.

    How mindfulness can help

    Mindfulness offers a steady place to stand while you work with any topic. Instead of being carried along by reaction, we notice what is here, sensations, thoughts, and feelings, and respond from presence rather than pressure.

    Gentle steps to try

    1. Begin with the breath. You might take three slow breaths before opening the worksheet, and let the body arrive.
    2. Read with curiosity. Move through each prompt slowly. Notice which questions soften you and which ones tighten you.
    3. Write what is true now. There are no right answers, only honest ones. What is true at this moment is what the worksheet is asking for.
    4. Close with one breath. When you finish, pause. You might place a hand on your heart and thank yourself for showing up.

    Insight does not arrive on a schedule. Trust the practice of returning, and the honesty you bring each time you do.

    Printable Worksheet

    Mindful Body Acceptance

    PDF·372 KB

    A mindful companion to this worksheet

    A mindful approach to mindful body acceptance

    “Mindful Body Acceptance” is an invitation to slow down and meet your experience with curiosity, honesty, and kindness.

    How mindfulness can help

    Mindfulness offers a steady place to stand while you work with any topic. Instead of being carried along by reaction, we notice what is here, sensations, thoughts, and feelings, and respond from presence rather than pressure.

    Gentle steps to try

    1. Begin with the breath. You might take three slow breaths before opening the worksheet, and let the body arrive.
    2. Read with curiosity. Move through each prompt slowly. Notice which questions soften you and which ones tighten you.
    3. Write what is true now. There are no right answers, only honest ones. What is true at this moment is what the worksheet is asking for.
    4. Close with one breath. When you finish, pause. You might place a hand on your heart and thank yourself for showing up.

    Insight does not arrive on a schedule. Trust the practice of returning, and the honesty you bring each time you do.

    Printable Worksheet

    Witnessing the Body

    PDF·179 KB

    A mindful companion to this worksheet

    A mindful approach to witnessing the body

    “Witnessing the Body” is an invitation to slow down and meet your experience with curiosity, honesty, and kindness.

    How mindfulness can help

    Mindfulness offers a steady place to stand while you work with any topic. Instead of being carried along by reaction, we notice what is here, sensations, thoughts, and feelings, and respond from presence rather than pressure.

    Gentle steps to try

    1. Begin with the breath. You might take three slow breaths before opening the worksheet, and let the body arrive.
    2. Read with curiosity. Move through each prompt slowly. Notice which questions soften you and which ones tighten you.
    3. Write what is true now. There are no right answers, only honest ones. What is true at this moment is what the worksheet is asking for.
    4. Close with one breath. When you finish, pause. You might place a hand on your heart and thank yourself for showing up.

    Insight does not arrive on a schedule. Trust the practice of returning, and the honesty you bring each time you do.

    How do you do a body scan meditation?

    A body scan moves your attention slowly from head to toe, noticing tension you didn't know you were holding — then gently releasing it. The full step-by-step practice is below.

    Begin by bringing your attention into your bodyYou can close your eyes if that’s comfortable to youYou can notice your body, seated, wherever you’re seatedFeeling the weight of your body, on the chair, on the floorAnd take a few deep breathsAnd as you take a deep breathBring in more oxygen and livening the body

    And as you exhaleHave a sense of relaxing more deeplyYou can notice your feet on the floorNotice the sensation of your feet touching the floorThe weight and pressure, vibration, heat

    You can notice your legs against the chairPressure, pulsing, heaviness, lightnessNotice your back against the chairBring your attention into your stomach areaIf your stomach is tense or tight, let it softenTake a breath

    Notice your handsAre your hands tense or tight?See if you can allow them to softenNotice your armsFeel any sensation in your armsLet your shoulders be softNotice your neck and throatLet them be soft, relaxedSoften your jawLet your face and facial muscles be soft

    Then notice your whole body presentTake one more breathBe aware of your whole body, as best you canTake a breathAnd then when you’re readyYou can open your eyes

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