#89: Body Awareness

A BRIEF MEDITATION

Breathe deeply, imagining yourself as this tree in Koloa, Hawaii. Roots extend from your feet deep into the earth, seeking stability.

With each exhale, note the presence of any disruptive emotions, perhaps manifesting as tension in your shoulders, a tightness in your chest, or a heaviness in your stomach.

These emotions swirl around you, but your roots hold you firmly to the ground. With each breath, the disruptive energies flow out of the roots and into the earth, where they can be transformed.

Like any storm, emotions are simply weather. Using your body as an anchor, you can handle anything.

➜ Go to your dashboard*

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MANTRA BREAKDOWN

Every day, there are situations that trigger uncomfortable emotions.

You could be wrestling with a tough challenge, sweating about an upcoming presentation, or stewing over a recent argument you had.

Often, the impulse is to escape the discomfort by procrastinating or losing our inner calm, trying to prove (usually to no one) that we're right.

Suddenly, our emotions are running the show, and they only grow stronger the more we feed them with our attention.

Next time discomfort bubbles up, hit the pause button.

Shift your focus from the whirlwind in your mind to the sensations in your body.

Maybe you'll notice a heaviness in the chest, shallow breaths, hot hands, or your jaw clenching.

Don't try to make yourself feel a certain way. Sit patiently with the tension wherever it exists in the body. You'll notice that these sensations have an expiration date, fading away like waves receding into an ocean.

Most times, you'll realize there is nothing immediate you have to solve, argue, or figure out. And if action is needed, you'll face it with a clear, unclouded perspective.

QUOTES TO TUNE INTO YOUR BODY’S INTELLIGENCE

• "I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one." – Maya Angelou

  "Pain is not wrong. Reacting to pain as wrong initiates the trance of unworthiness. The moment we believe something is wrong, our world shrinks and we lose ourselves in the effort to combat the pain." – Tara Brach

  "The key to healing traumatic stress is to attend to the internal sensations of the body." – Peter Levine

➜ Go to my dashboard*

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NEWSLETTERS WORTHY OF YOUR INBOX

BREATHE & FLOW NEWSLETTER

If you’d like to expand your practice beyond the mat, this newsletter will take you there, covering topics like building unbreakable habits, mastering mental toughness, and cultivating self-love. 🧘🏻‍♀️

THE GRATEFUL GAZETTE

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READER Q&A SPOTLIGHT

Hey Momentum readers! We're thrilled to roll out a fresh, interactive section – Reader Q&A Spotlight!

This is where we answer questions you have about mindset, productivity, and everything in between. Hearing from you will help other readers in the Momentum community who face similar work, school & life challenges. 💙

HOW TO START

Hit reply on any newsletter with your question, or send an email to [email protected].

You can use your real first name, pseudonym, or simply be anonymous. Even if we don't answer your question next week, it might be the highlight of a future issue!

MOMENTUM TIP OF THE WEEK

Nature has the remarkable power to make you feel a certain way in both mind & body. Even an image of nature can do this.

1. Think of a desired mindset you'd like to embody this week. (E.g., Ease. Focus. Passion. Peace.)

2. Now consider, what images evoke this feeling within you? You can use Ask AI to help you visualize. (Potential prompt: "What nature images will help me create feelings of peace within?”)

3. Use Unsplash, Pexels, or other free stock photography sites to search for images.

4. Upload image on the dashboard by clicking on the gear-shaped icon on the lower left-hand corner > Photos > + Add Photo

Pro tip: Create a mantra to go with the image. This will make the desired mindset stronger.

IT’S ALL GOOD (NEWS)

Here are a few stories that may spark curiosity and wonder. ✨

• ⚡️ Sustainability: U.S. DOE Announces Funding for Tribal Clean Energy Projects

• 💘 Acts of Kindness: New York Medical School Eliminates Tuition After $1B Gift

• ✌️ Change: The 3.5% Rule: How a Small Minority Can Change the World

• 🩺 Health: Overlooked Drug Proven To Be Superior Treatment for Crohn’s Disease