SomaMeditation for Thanking Your Body

Listen and follow along as Madeline Wade guides you through this somatic practice.

Step outside, or set yourself in front of one of your favorite windows, and open your peripheral vision. Take a deep breath and notice the horizon and the tree tops. Stretch your arms out wide from your sides and place your palms up. Feel your chest open, and move the sensation down to your center.

Take another deep breath. Slowly move your arms down and place your hands on your center two inches below your navel. Bring your sense of smell into focus. Notice your breath coming into your nose — what is in the air, and how does it affect your body?

Drink in your ability to fill your belly and chest with the precious air that gives us life. We can live for days without food, at least four days without water, but without air we only have seconds.

Remember a time when a certain smell connected you with spirit. Was it lavender as the big black bumble bees moved from flower to flower, filling their legs with pollen?

Take another deep breath and feel your feet connecting with the earth. Imagine each time you step you pick up earth and it moves with you. You become a part of nature.

Now imagine you are writing a thank-you note to your body. What would it say? Feel your chest, your breath moving up and down, your heart beating and your feet connecting with the earth. Feel your internal gratitude and smile. Thank your body, and remember how sacred it is — the vessel that allows you to be you in this world.

Many blessings to you, and may your body stay strong and in action moving toward what is your purpose in life.