Daisies
Exhaling and opening
Have you felt the days lengthening and your energy extending to match? Summer, the season of expansion, is upon us and so today a gesture of rest to support your readiness for the months ahead.
What was your most restful moment this week? When did you feel most calm, agendaless, at ease… whatever words best describes a feeling of deep relaxation and the sense of space that often accompanies it? Go ahead, pause and ponder. Better yet, exhale completely and go there. Where are you? What are you doing? What does it feel like?
I’ll share mine, including some flowers for you.Â
I’m standing in a field of wild daisies near where I live. The blooms open into sun rays and sway in the breeze, flowers so thick that my littles immediately start playing hide and seek, giggling and chasing neon dragonflies. My hand instinctively reaches out for petals’ caress and it’s then that I feel it — one of longest, most complete exhales of the last few weeks. My gaze softens, perspective widens, nervous system settles… it just keeps going, the kind of release that makes you realize how much you’ve been holding.
I’ve been doing a lot, I think to myself, and now I’m *just* a mom standing in a field of daisies with her kids, breathing out. Opening. The accompanying ease and resulting energy of the moment is palpable. I’m pretty sure my son and daughter feel it, too. My girl runs over and holds my hand in hers, then spreads my fingers wide, tracing the outline — her attention holding mine. I pick a bouquet for the road and it feels like strands of my recently scattered awareness, now gathered and settled right where it should be — here, now.
Rest sometimes sneaks up on us in this way, unexpectedly, as if by random coincidence, and opens us to the space that’s available even as we’re getting on with all the things. Admittedly, it’s a bit easier to stumble into this kind of exhale on an afternoon when one’s only agenda is a popsicle. And yet I’m pretty sure it’s a practice we can access anytime, anywhere. As usual, all we have to do is slow down, breathe deeply, and pay attention.
Over to you — I bet your own presence held your hand en route to more ease, energy, availability in your restful moment? Summer is coming, a full send. Gather your flowers — all the stems of your attention. Exhale into it. There’s no better way to open yourself into the coming season.
savour sessions x balance practice: summer edition
An honor to invite you to this special morning of yoga and writing with author
(Why Women Grow) and me. We’ll slow down, breathe deeply and pay attention to create space and gain understanding.ÂLast few tickets available now, we’d love to practice with you!
Date and time: 9-11am on Saturday, 8th June
Location: Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Rd, London SW3 4HS
Tickets: Free for paying savour and Balance Pratice members