What is a mindfulness practice?
I’m eternally grateful to coming across mindfulness stress reduction.
At the time I was really lost in a swirl of depression and anxiety without tools to get out of the cycle. With mindfulness, I realized a state inside me that was not set in the future or past, but of the moment, non judgmentally.
I realized that I was naturally mindful when I was acting. And that started me on my quest.
A mindfulness practice is a type of mental training that helps you become more aware of the present moment and your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations.
The goal of mindfulness is to cultivate a non-judgmental and accepting attitude towards your experiences, on purpose and in the moment.
If you’re curious about how a Mindfulness practice could look for you, here are some ideas of some practices to incorporate into your life!
🌈 I'll also add where you can access guided practices in the Acting with the Chakras - Online Course.
Meditation:
This is the core of mindfulness practice, it includes different techniques such as sitting meditation, walking meditation, body scan meditation, which helps to focus the attention on the present moment, and let go of distractions and thoughts.
AWTC: Sun Meditation, Grounding Meditation, General Chakra Meditation, Taking in Light Meditation
Deep breathing:
This is a simple but powerful technique that can be used to help calm the mind and reduce stress. It involves taking slow, deep breaths and focusing on the sensation of the breath as it enters and exits the body. I love how Eckhart Tolle says “one conscious breath is a meditation.”
AWTC: Yin & Breath Support Sequence
Mindful movement:
Moving with your full intention and attention in the body awareness. Feeling how the air moves around you, how your clothes move on your body. This includes practices such as our bad dancing in class, authentic movement or proprioceptive movement, yoga, tai chi, and Qi gong, which involve moving the body slowly and deliberately while maintaining awareness of the body and the breath.
AWTC: Qigong Closing, Bad Dancing, Proprioceptive Movement, all Chakra Warm Ups
Breath experience:
Allowing yourself to come into a breath dialogue, honouring the inhale, exhale and pause, getting out of the way, allowing the body to breathe itself. Sitting with the breath movement as it naturally breathes your body. Being curious about the movement, and the natural effortless process of breathing.
AWTC: Breath Experience Heart Opening Sequence
Mindful walking:
Walking mindfully and focusing on the sensation of the feet on the ground and the breath. Can be used with a mindful listening practice, listening completely to the sounds around you, without judgement or distraction.
Mindful eating:
Paying attention to the taste, texture, and smell of food and eating slowly, savoring each bite.
Mindful awareness in daily activities:
Mindfulness practices can be incorporated into daily activities such as washing dishes, cleaning up, using your phone, and even showering, by being present and fully engaged in the activity, rather than letting the mind wander.
Mindful self-inquiry:
This includes practices that encourage self-reflection and self-awareness, such as journaling and self-reflection exercises.
AWTC: Brain Drain Pages, Higher Self Meditation, Writing Prompts
Mindful communication:
This includes practices that help to improve communication skills and the ability to listen actively, non-judgmentally and with empathy to understand. Listening with you whole body, and speaking with intentionality. Non Violent Communication skills through Marshall B. Rosenberg.
AWTC: Throat Chakra Module
These practices can be done for a few minutes a day, but the more you practice, the more you will find yourself naturally incorporating mindfulness into your daily life. Remember to be kind and compassionate with yourself and don't put too much pressure on yourself to achieve a specific outcome!
Let me know what you have done to be more mindful below!