News / Articles

The Crier Landing Page >>

Mindfulness in the Making
STRETCHING SUMMER’S VIBES INTO THE FALL

By: Jocelyn Kay Levy   |   September 2, 2022

I simply cannot believe summer is over! One minute I’m vibing in my flip flops and sarong and the next I feel the fall chill sneaking in. Well, this year it’s not going to happen so fast!

 

Why? First, because I’m still in La-La SummerLand so I can’t quite get my brain into gear for this new school year let alone all the after-school activities. I know, I know…what we take on is our choice, but somehow or other, life just starts to feel way too full around this time.

 

Maybe in the aftermath of the easy, breezy summer spaciousness, our nervous systems go into mini shock having to adjust to earlier mornings and soccer and dance practices scheduled at really inconvenient times. So, my spiritual goal for the month of September is to soften the summer blow.

 

Lately, I’ve been asking myself how my summer vacation vibes can tag along with me into the school year. I’ve come to realize that when my body is feeling the carefree, summery energy—the heat, the long days, the minimal clothing, the bright light—there is truly less tension in my body. As you can tell, I’m not a winter bird! It’s just not my nature.

 

During summertime, I notice a lightness instead of tightness around my shoulders and jawline. It probably has to do with the physical discomfort of a bulky winter coat and the sensation of cold wind blowing on my face. Whereas, during summer, I’m sun-kissed and my body feels warm and relaxed and…free. 

 

In my attempt to retain some of the lightness and brightness of dwindling summer days, I’ve decided to incorporate two things into my weekly schedule:

 

1. I treat myself to a weekly outing that is not only super fun but also gets me in tune with my body. I’ve joined a salsa team—whoo-hoo! My mom-friend is doing it with me so we motivate each other to make it to the late-night-once-the-kids-are-fed-and-asleep-after-8pm on Tuesday rehearsals! Don’t let me fool you…I’m usually asleep by 8pm or I’m a total mommy wreck the next day. But I absolutely love to salsa, and it’s amazing for my body, mind, and salsa-soul. So I’m committed, every Tuesday no matter how tired or wired this mama is by the end of the day!
   
   
2.  The second thing I’ve decided to incorporate to create lightness in my mind and body is The Body Scan Practice and I’ll be doing it daily! This is a really simple yet powerful component of mindfulness meditation. You lay on even ground, close your eyes and ‘scan’ your body with your mind’s eye by bringing awareness to different parts of your body and seeing how each part is feeling in this moment. The aim is to relax your body on the ground and focus on nothing else other than breathing into your body parts starting from the head down to the toes or vice versa.

 

I get that both of these “activities” are entirely different—one is an active and extroverted  physical expression and one is a passive and introverted slowing down and tuning in. But at the same time, they both bring me back into my body. How cool is that?! This practice has served me so well over the years and I would love to invite you to join me to discover how your body is feeling at this moment.

 

Have you checked in with your body lately? Don’t worry if a weekly physical practice like salsa is not for you at this point in your life. That’s totally ok. But The Body Scan Practice is honestly something every one of us can easily do before sleep or first thing in the morning while still in bed. You can even do it together with your kids!

 

For Parents:

1. Lay down and get comfortable! (The easiest time to do this is right before bed.)
2. Start by taking full belly breaths where you feel your belly rise and fall, rise and fall…
3. Bring your awareness first to your head and to your facial muscles. Notice if there is any tension, pain, or feelings that arise when you do this. Then, in your mind’s eye, send your breath all over your face and try to release and relax your facial muscles on the exhale.
4. Next, use your breath to scan your entire body from your head, all the way down to your toes. Take time to breathe into each and every body part and feel what you feel.

For Kids:

A really easy way to do this with your kids is to practice it while listening to my Wee Yogis Connect album’s three-minute song titled: “Body Scan”. As you hear me singing about the different body parts, have your little one tighten up that body part and then shake it out and relax. (Please note that sometimes we tell kids to “relax” but the concept of relaxation is hard for them to understand unless we first teach them how it feels to not relax like when they clench their fists or make an ‘angry’ frown.)

 

Community:

On Saturday, October 22nd I will be having a 10-year anniversary celebration of my Wee Yogis Play Musical at The Energy Flow Studio in San Anselmo 2pm - 5pm! We will be screening the musical with live music and yummy treats! Come sing, dance, stretch, with the family! weeyogis.com

---