The Inner Studio - Riverside Architectural Press

THE INNER STUDIO
this moment to feel the weight of your right arm and hand as it rests
more comfortably.
When you are ready, bring your attention to your left shoulder. We
all shoulder many loads. As you breathe comfortably, bring the sensation
of letting go to your left shoulder and let that feeling expand through
your left arm, down into your left hand, and down into the sensation of
your fingers. Let the weight of the arm go down onto whatever your
hand and arm rests upon.
Now take a moment to feel the relaxed, comfortable condition of
your body from the shoulders, lower back, buttocks and legs, letting the
weight of your body be comfortably supported by the chair. Just take a
moment to be. There is no work to do, no assignment or car or bill. Just
be with your body in a relaxed moment and see if you can memorize this
sensation.
Take a moment to feel the muscles in your neck, the back of your
neck, your throat, and your jaw, letting go of any holding. Let your
muscles soften with each exhalation. Listen inwardly to the muscles of
your neck and jaw as they let go, and as that softness and ease spread
into your scalp and forehead, let your eyes relax so that any stress in your
neck, jaw, scalp, and eyes softens and your body begins to settle in
comfortably. As you continue to breathe easily, take a moment to enjoy
and memorize pleasant sensations as you learn new ways to open and
relax your body.
Take a moment to scan your body, breathing normally, exhaling and
inhaling. Take a moment to be with your relaxed body, see if there are any
places that you are drawn to that need softening. Go there now, inhaling
and exhaling, letting these places soften and see if there is a lightness, a
relaxed, slight feeling of freedom in your body.
When you are ready, on the next inhalation, begin to open your
eyes, stretch, or yawn, and as you become more alert, roll to your right
side and continuing to relax, gently using your arms to help yourself sit
up. Take a moment to write out your experience before sharing it with a
friend.
EXERCISE 2: DEEPENING THE EXPERIENCE
This guided active imagination exercise can be used to deepen your
experience. As with every exercise it is important to find a time and place
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