Gentle Swaying
Materials Needed:
To Support Feeling:
Overwhelmed
How to Do It
Stand with your feet hip-width apart, and begin to gently sway side to side, allowing your body to move fluidly. Let your arms and torso follow the movement naturally.
Why It Works
Swaying can help to release tension and create a calming, rhythmic sensation, which can ease feelings of overwhelm and help you regain a sense of flow and ease in your body.
Guided Practice
Stand comfortably with your feet about hip-width apart, feeling the ground beneath you. Take a moment to notice the sensations in your body, perhaps feeling a gentle pull or sway. Allow yourself to tune into this natural rhythm, noticing how your body wants to move or be still. Be here, present with whatever arises.
Start to gently sway from side to side, feeling the weight shift from one foot to the other or from one side of your body to the other. Notice the sensations in your body—perhaps a gentle stretch, a soothing rhythm, or a feeling of balance. As you continue swaying, imagine this movement as a way to center yourself and find your equilibrium. Visualize each sway as a pendulum, bringing you back to a place of calm and balance with each motion. You might notice familiar feelings or thoughts about balance, or perhaps new insights about how to stay grounded amidst change. Allow yourself to explore these sensations fully, staying present with the swaying. Let this gentle movement help you feel more grounded and connected to your body. Perhaps you feel a sense of peace, a calming of the mind, or a new understanding of your own need for movement. Notice any insights or realizations that come up as you continue with the swaying. When you feel ready, let the swaying gradually come to a stop and take a few more deep breaths, feeling the ground beneath you. Notice how your body feels now—whether there is a sense of calm, grounding, or perhaps a renewed connection to your own body. Allow yourself to stay with this feeling for a few more moments, enjoying the sensation of balance and calm. When you are ready, gently open your eyes, carrying this sense of groundedness and calm with you into your day.