Relax, Renew, Replenish !

As busy modern women with jobs, homes, and families who are striving towards creating the lives we desire, we spend a lot of time rushing from one activity to another. It’s often all too easy in this situation to forget that the energy we pour out to manage our  homes, families and careers, and even to accomplish goals we set for ourselves such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle or making time to follow our passions needs to be replenished from time to time.

Stress is the great precursor to other problems in today’s world. Juggling the many commitments we all seem to have- even those we love- can result in an insidious kind of constant pressure that women in particular are prone to. Studies show we find it difficult to draw boundaries and  that many of us are still  dealing with the ‘superwoman’ or ‘having it all’ mentality.

 In addition to the stresses of daily life, women also experience hormonal changes throughout their lunar cycle -and indeed throughout their lives- which are still not really addressed  or accepted by society in general. Many issues that arise at these times are habitually suppressed or ignored.

Unfortunately the result is that all too often these unacknowledged issues can bubble to the surface in negative and extreme ways at times of great stress, for example during pregnancy and/or it‘s related aspects such as fertility issues, after a birth, mothering small children, in times of illness and during menopause. They don’t just manifest as  emotional trauma either but can also cause physical problems.

 So  by making a regular time to consciously work on releasing stress and replenishing our reserves of soul energy and creative juices - the wellspring of what we have to give to the world- we are not being selfish, but responsible.

Stress actually changes the chemical make up of our bodies. In the same way, however, so does relaxation. Certain music and sound has the ability to change our brainwave patterns, for example, some Baroque and new age music (music of around 60 beats per minute) is considered to enhance alertness and well being, changing brainwaves from Beta to Alpha and music that drones or chants, such as Gregorian chants, or even repeating “Om” has been shown to change brainwaves to Theta level, which we normally experience when sleeping or mediating.  Affirmations and visualizations can also assist with this process.

 Here’s a guided visualization/ relaxation excersize created specifically for women that you may like to try. I would recommend that it be done at least once a week. It works very well if you record the words (speak slowly and leave spaces for yourself to do the visualisation.) Or find something else that works for you. You’re worth the effort!

“Soft Belly” exercise.

Whether or not we choose to give birth our wombs and bellies are where creativity has space, (whether for dreams, goals, ideas or physically growing a baby) to nurture and grow  beautiful expressions of our lives.

Lay down comfortably on your back. (If this isn’t possible due to pregnancy or injury for example, on your side is fine.)

 Close your eyes. Breathe deeply for a few moments. Take your attention from your head to your toes, tightening each part of your body as you breathe in, then relaxing it as you breathe out.

When you have relaxed  your toes, return your awareness to your belly. Place your hands, fingers spread, over your belly. Hold it tight for a moment, then allow it to soften. Feel it rise and fall with your breath, Now, as you breathe out, repeat ‘soft belly soft belly’.

Visualise yourself laying on warm sand, or soft green grass warmed by the sun above. You are comfortable and calm.

 Feel the warmth of the sun gather in your pelvic area, allow this warmth to  slowly travel down your legs to your toes and then to return up your back, over the top of your head and  back down to your belly, flowing over and through.

 Feel the lusciousness of your whole being and the delicious femaleness of having a soft and pliable, warm and comforting belly for feelings to develop, ideas to gestate, for food to be absorbed and digested, nourishing your body.

Allow this process  to occur for as long as you need. When you are ready, allow the warmth to remain in your belly. Take a few deep breaths, open your eyes and wiggle your fingers and toes. You should feel relaxed, replenished and renewed.

This "soft belly" meditation was adapted from one originally created by Lara Owen author of "Her Blood is Gold"