Reach Out Gesture
Materials Needed:
To Support Feeling:
Excluded
How to Do It
Stand or sit comfortably and extend your arms forward as if reaching out to someone. As you do this, imagine yourself connecting with others and being welcomed. Hold this gesture for a few breaths, then slowly bring your arms back to your body.
Why It Works
The physical act of reaching out helps to counter the feeling of being excluded by symbolizing connection and outreach, fostering a mental shift towards seeking and feeling inclusion.
Guided Practice
Find a comfortable place where you can sit quietly. Take a few deep breaths, letting your awareness settle into your heart center. Feel into the rhythm of your breath and imagine a gentle warmth spreading from your heart, softening and expanding as you breathe.
Visualize someone or something you wish to connect with — it could be a loved one, a friend, or even a part of yourself that feels distant. Slowly extend one arm out in front of you, as if reaching out to touch or hold onto this person or aspect. Feel the stretch in your shoulder and the openness in your chest as you extend your arm. As you reach out, notice any sensations in your body — perhaps a sense of longing, a feeling of openness, or even a touch of vulnerability. Stay with these sensations, allowing them to guide your experience. Notice any emotions that arise as you extend your hand — perhaps a sense of connection, a feeling of yearning, or even a bit of fear about reaching out. Allow yourself to be present with these feelings, knowing that reaching out can bring up a range of emotions. Visualize the act of reaching out as a bridge, connecting you to this person or part of yourself. See if any images, symbols, or memories arise — perhaps a bridge spanning a river, a hand clasping another in comfort, or an image of a vast, open sky. Allow these images to deepen your connection, feeling the energy flowing through your extended arm and into your heart. Notice how this visualization affects you — perhaps a sense of comfort, a feeling of expansion, or even a recognition of vulnerability. When you feel ready, gently bring your arm back to your side, and take a few deep breaths, feeling the residual energy in your body. Notice how your body feels now — perhaps more open, more connected, or simply more aware of your desire to reach out. Gently open your eyes, carrying this sense of connection and openness with you into your day, feeling more ready to engage with yourself and others.