This is one of my favorite meditations for increasing awareness of your physical body and body sensations - both good and bad sensations. I typically use it during Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with my clients as a mindfulness meditation because it really guides you to just FEEL what you feel, instead of trying to change how you feel or judging yourself and your body. Our bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and it's important to be grateful for our bodies and all the amazing things they can do for us.

A mindful body scan meditation is one type of mindfulness meditation that promotes greater awareness of the physical body. It uses the physical sensations of the body and visualization as an anchor to fix the mind in the physical body and more importantly, in the present moment.

During hectic times, it is easy to focus on other people and neglect yourself. In addition, your thoughts may become focused on either the future or the past. Do you find yourself neglecting your own needs, focusing on other people instead of yourself? Do you try to avoid feeling physical pain in your body? Do you judge yourself and neglect your body? Fortunately, you can use this body scan meditation to focus on yourself and bring yourself back to the present moment as a grounding technique as well. Enjoy!

Aloha,

Dr. Jen