sensation, a story all its own

I check in with people at the beginning of every class.

How are you feeling today?

This usually leads to any list of emotion words: anxious, happy, willing, exhausted, angry, hopeful, sad, calm… the product of the day’s narrative.

It’s taken me waaaay too long to learn to ask,

How are you feeling in your body today?

There’s still an occasional anxious, exhausted, or calm, but after asking the question nearly 1,000 times, I’ve heard nearly 3,000 times that people hold tension in their neck, shoulders, and back. Some tightness. A kink. Maybe aches.

I hear ya… me too!

There might be a narrative in this tension. And maybe not. That’s for you to discover or decide. I wonder, though, would it be helpful to explore these sensations?

If you’d like, you can join me for a short chair practice. Four movements. A bit of breathing. Some focus on your sensations. You’re welcome to practice at your desk, before a meal, but maybe not while driving!

You’re free to stream or download from thrivingtreeyoga.com.

If it’s helpful, you can also download a printed version of the practice.