What’s your favorite ritual that keeps you present?

Question

Catherine Davis · Answer

Yoga with Adrienne: Yoga for… anything you need! For runners, for overthinking, for bloating, for bedtime, for people who sit all day, for heavy hearts, for beginners, ETC. This gal has a yoga sequence for everything and anything. Bonuses- it is free, she is quirky and endearing, and sometimes her dog Benji makes a guest appearance.

Rachel · Answer

sitting on the patio and watching my dog enjoy the yard: Watching him enjoy the fresh air and sunshine and watching squirrels and birds is so calming. He reminds me how to just sit and take it all in.

Shanna · Answer

yoga and somatic movement: even 10 minutes of sun salutation, stretching, and somatic movement really changes the game for me

D · Answer

daily rituals of care (not self): Sometimes the best rituals, from my perspective, are those that centralize the care of another being. If you have space to foster a Dog, Cat, Bunny, etc., shelters really need your support, and non-human animals could really use a kennel break. Or maybe it's just the weekly ritual of plant care or checking in on a human neighbor. Here's a video from Maddie's Fund (an excellent educational resource on animal care) on acclimating a shy/fearful foster Dog. I find that taking care of another being helps me to feel connected, and the rituals of feeding, cleaning, and medicating can be very grounding.

D · Answer

Kanjo Acupressure Meditation Cushion: I meditate on this acupressure cushion every morning. It helps to ground me for the day, and the acupressure points open my hips. I also really like the Kanjo foot mat, especially if you are on your feet at work all the time (walking dogs, in a concrete studio, a kitchen, etc.).

Dylan · Answer

Silly little mental health walks in nature: Just left the house for the first time in 9 days to go for a silly lil mental health walk in nature and found myself bawling my eyes out at this rainbow lorikeet just hanging outside his lil tree stump house. We stared into each other's eyes for a good 10 mins until he decided that was enough and retreated back inside his lil tree hole.

Dylan · Answer

Legs up the wall: i love a restorative inversion! the most delicious thing to do after a day spent on your feet, after a long-haul flight, or just for a calming evening ritual.

activate the parasympathetic nervous system, improve circulation, lymphatic drainage, reduce swelling/pain, relieve tension.

so simple, so good.

April · Answer

Starting each morning by lighting incense: Each morning after I make my bed and brush my teeth I light an incense. I love opening the windows for a little fresh air and having the scent of incense wafting throughout the apartment while I get ready for the day. It also helps combat the smell of my pets food in the morning.

Michelle · Answer

Morning sunlight: Just getting a touch of sunlight first thing in the morning for 2-3 mins, does wonders.

Michelle · Answer

Speks puddy: I use these when I need to focus in a meeting or be a good listener, even holding onto a rock or something helps me ground and stay present.