Intentional Relaxation Procedure

To better experience this procedure you can purchase my relaxation CD, Relaxation Invitation.

This simple procedure will help to reduce a great deal of stress and inner tension in your life while creating space for health and vitality. Find a place where you will not be disturbed. Lie down on your back and arrange yourself as comfortably as possible.

This technique which involves observing your breath can help you get to sleep and is great for helping you to remain relaxed and connected to your body when traveling for long periods of time in a plane, train or bus where you remain sitting for long periods of time.

1. Close your eyes (make sure your in a safe and quiet area) and begin to notice where in your body your inhale begins. Allow your breathing to travel in and out through your nose. Allow your breathing to be natural. If it is shallow, let it be shallow. If it is deep, let it be deep.

2. Now focus on your exhale. Allow your exhale to leave your body as fast or as slow as your body breathes it. Allow your exhale to be effortless. Exhaling in this way provides you an actual tangible experience of what "letting go" feels like. Take your cues from this experience (which you can perform anywhere and at anytime) and learn how to let go.

3. As you continue to exhale, extend your new ability of letting go to your entire body. The more weight you give the floor, the more the floor will begin to support you. Allow this feeling of support to travel upward through the bones of your: feet, ankles, legs, hips, spine, neck and head.

4. With every exhale release the grip of your muscles on your body and let go. Allow your skeleton to support your body. Maintain your mind's focus on your breathing and continue to let go, traveling down your body, relaxing your neck and shoulders, the muscles in your belly, the small of your back, your buttocks, the muscles in your groin, your thighs and your legs.

5. Once you have finished relaxing take some time to stay in this space and recognize how good you feel and how clearer your mind is.

Note - Be aware that this may make you feel lightheaded. Please take care of your needs and do not continue if you feel uncomfortable.

The more time you spend practicing letting go in this fashion, the more you will integrate this behavior into your daily life. The deeper you are able to let go improves your ability to let go. Eventually your body/mind will adopt it as a natural part of your life.