or: How to find calm when it’s hot as balls
Obligatory disclaimer: it is ESSENTIAL to take care of your body and its physiological response to increased temperatures! Hydrate well and often to aid with thermoregulation, seek shade and cooler spaces, and don’t forget to look after more susceptible family members such as the elderly and pets.
I’ve said before that the course of my life looks a lot like navigating my way into professions that have me repeat to people the things I most need to hear. As a massage therapist, two prime examples are “rest” and “stretch” (with a possible third being “get massaged more often”); if I put them together, I get “listen to your body and honour what it is asking for.” This is easier said than done in today’s world of countless distractions and endless demands on our attention and energy.
My focus in therapy over the past year and change has been better connection with my body through mindfulness, being consciously present and able to attune to my body’s signals. This has helped me better understand what I really want to do in moments of boredom, to show up for the less exciting administrative tasks of my work, and to check my emotional response when something goes awry instead of feeling powerless and deep in my feelings. Multiple therapists have discussed improving my capacity for mindfulness by cultivating a regular practice of meditation.
I have enjoyed guided meditations in the past, sometimes offered during a lunch break at an office I worked at, or through an app like Headspace (although who needs another subscription in this economy?). But meditating by myself has always seemed so daunting, like I would never be able to get it right. There were things I thought I needed: a cushion, the right space, music, etc. I was letting my perfectionism get in the way, and it took some time for me to recognize that.
For the past few weeks, I have been studying a course with the aim of becoming a meditation coach, and even more important than the material is the notion of walking the walk before I talk the talk. If I am going to guide people through meditation, I first need to establish my own personal practice and notice what changes it brings.
I am carving out time for regular sessions which can last from 5 to 15 minutes, and learning how to access that same calm intentionally when challenges arise. I learned over a dozen grounding strategies in massage school, and they weren’t all labeled “MEDITATION” but what else is an exercise that lets you find your centre and connect with yourself in the present moment? The best way out of my head is going into my body.
Of course, massage is a fantastic way to practice connecting to the present moment and your body. During your sessions, I can guide you through breathing exercises or visualizations with the goal of making space for you to practice mindfulness. And soon, I will be able to offer separate meditation coaching if you would like guidance through establishing your own unique meditation practice. We may not always have the ability to change our circumstances (such as this heatwave), but we can try to shift our perspective and find a moment of calm amidst the chaos.
Check out my previous blog post for an anniversary promo code if you haven’t already benefitted from it!
