Let Go of Tension

Tonight's wind down is a relaxation technique. Rather than forcing relaxation to happen, we're going to allow it to naturally arise in the body by gently tensing and relaxing the muscles. As always, be gentle and you can move past any area that feels challenging or difficult. Take a moment to get comfortable and cozy. Letting go of the day, becoming aware of the whole body, pressing down onto the surface beneath you. Feeling from the top of the head all the way down to the toes. And taking a slower, deeper breath in through the nose and out through the mouth. And gently guiding the attention to settle on the toes and the feet, and softly curling up and tensing your toes, so they feel a little tight. You don't have to be forceful, but notice what it feels like to tense the toes. Gently breathing and hold. And then relax the toes and the feet. Letting go of that tension. Notice how it feels to release and let the toes and feet relax and soften. Moving the attention to the calf. Flexing the feet, so you feel that tension in the calves. You might find that the feet lift up a little, and that's okay. Holding that tension for a few seconds. Breathing and then releasing. Relaxing the muscles in the calves. And feeling the weight of the lower legs pressing down. Breathing normally, nothing else to do. Moving the attention up to the thighs, tightening and tensing them by pressing the knees together as if you are holding a book between them. Gently holding and then release. Allowing them to soften. The muscles relax. And let the legs sink down into the surface beneath you. Now lifting the shoulders up as if you're trying to touch the ears. Be careful of your neck. Hold for a few seconds and then releasing, feeling their heaviness, feeling the tension dropping out of the shoulders and neck. And now clench the fist tightly. Try not to strain. Hold for a few seconds. Breathing and then release. Slowly feeling the fingers and hands open. Letting go of any tension, relaxing as they soften into the surface. Now tensing the muscles in the forehead by raising your eyebrows as high as you can. Holding that tension for a few seconds, and then releasing, relaxing. We can carry so much tension in the forehead, relaxing that point between the eyes, softening the jaw, giving yourself permission to let go of any worries just for this moment. You are nice and relaxed. Picturing a wave of ease and relaxation, slowly spreading through the body, beginning at the head, going all the way down to the toes. That's great....