Happy New Moon! My intention for the last few months has been DAHLIA. Maybe a bit odd, that my intention is a flower. As you can see from this video, this flower doesn’t fully bloom all at once. It dances between expansion and contraction. This reminds me of the dance of rest… like most things do. It reminds me of growth and the human experience. It reminds me that two things can be true at the same time in life - that we can be expanding our capacity for life and also softening into spaces of rest. In my experience, if I am constantly expanding, growing, and going going going - I will burn out. I find a sense of settling in me when I remember I can do a little bit, expand a little bit, play a little bit, and then rest a little bit. My business coach, Mel calls these turtle steps.
A Practice For You:: Expanding & Softening with the Breath
If you’re feeling like you’ve been going going going a little too much lately, consider lying down and put this 15 minute Cellular Breathing Meditation (inspired by Alicia Barmon, originally done by Mark Taylor) on as you consider your intention for this next moon cycle. This breath practice invites you to feel into the expansion and contraction that happens with each breath over and over again, gently breathing with your whole body.
Self-Care & Svādhyāya (Self-Study)
In what areas of you life are you wanting to grow? Could some time and space for rest and reflection help you? If you’re feeling like you need some support in finding motivation for expansion or finding the courage to slow down and rest, this is a lot of what I’m up to in my Calm & Connected 1:1 Somatic Self-Care Container. Book a Care Chat with me and let’s see if we connect and maybe I could be your Self-Care Coach.
“Rest isn’t a reward for the work, it’s part of the work.”
-Leesa Renée Hall