I’ve found this relaxation technique to be one I come back to often. Research has shown a range of benefits, including better sleep – the ultimate form of rest and recovery – as well as easing stress and anxiety. Practicing being relaxed might sound easy enough but in reality it can take some dedication.
I highly recommend that you start cultivating calm now so that when your important competition comes along you are well prepared!
In this class I encourage body gratitude, acceptance, we do the cyclic breath for calm and focus as well as a full body mobility sequence, then we set a goal and intention for the day or dance class. A nice little boost I hope! It can be easy to get swept up in the challenges that dance can bring, this class might help you to shift perspective a little and bring you back to a place of kindness towards yourself and gratitude. I hope the poem shared, my thoughts and insights as well as the movement piece are good to you. As always, I am interested in your thoughts and feedback 🙂
Yoga blocks might come in handy and a yoga mat. Feel free to spend more time in any particular movement given if you wish.
Enjoy it!
Not so much a tip, but a lovely confidence building meditation. I hope this ignites a fire within you as we head into a new year and new season of dance.
It’s a lovely time of year to bring in some gratitude.
“When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in.” – Kristin Armstrong
Finishing up this week with Kindness.. And kindness starts with us! We get reflective with a few journalling prompts before a guided meditation and gentle movement and stretching aimed at the back body.
An opportunity to check in with your mind-body, to slow down and ultimately learn more about yourself and what you need!
It can be tough to calm the mind before a competition and get a good sleep. Not ideal, especially if you’re competing at 8am! So I do hope this will help to find some zen!.. Sleep well dance friends.
Take some time out for yourself today to ease the mind and body. Another great one to come back to often. One of my favourite meditations is this “Leaves on a stream” Meditation. Research has validated the effectiveness of this technique for psychological wellbeing.
A flower does not think of competing to the flower next to it, it just blooms!
Self-acceptance is defined as “an individual’s acceptance of all of his/her attributes, positive or negative.” It includes body acceptance, self-protection from negative criticism, and believing in one’s capacities. -Harvard health publishing.
When we’re self-accepting, we embrace every part of ourselves, not just the “positive” things! Self-acceptance is unconditional—you can recognise weaknesses, but still fully accept yourself.
Practicing acceptance of ourselves can have an incredible impact on our wellbeing!