Embodied Self-Compassion
You can't always think your way into compassion - action is an important part of the practice!
During this mindful movement exercise you will use gentle yoga postures to explore the sensation around your heart center and offer yourself loving-kindness. To prepare, spread a yoga mat or thick blanket in your practice space. You may wish to use a second blanket or a bolster for extra support.
The postures in this practice are gentle. If you are familiar with yoga, you will recognize the cat/cow pose (I like to call it cat/hammock), child's pose, and savasana. There is no "right way" to do these postures. Just make sure you do not do anything that will cause you more harm.
Embrace Yourself With Self-Compassion
If you are under a physician's care, please clear this exercise with them prior to practicing this exercise.
Modifications
If you feel pain in your hands or wrists when you are on your hands and knees, try making fists with your hands and rest on your knuckles with your wrists straight.
If you should not be on your knees for any reason, you can also do cat/hammock in a chair. Simply sit upright and place your hands on your thighs with your elbows straight, but not locked. Tuck your pelvis under for cat, and tilt it forward for hammock. Lie in a fetal position instead of moving into child's pose.
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