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Meditation on the Body

Audio June 3, 2022
A young woman in a dance costume lounges on one side
ā€œThe body is living art. Your movement through time and space is art. A painter has brushes. You have your body.ā€
Anna Halprin, dancer

Take a deep breath in and take notice the sensations in your body with a new guided meditation on the body inspired by Ten Dancers (Dix Danseuses), Reclining Dancer by Henri Matisse.

Step-by-Step Meditation

  1. Find a comfortable position and take some time to look at this print.
  2. Scan the outline of the dancerā€™s body. Imagine how it would feel to put your body in the same position.
  3. Notice the position that your body is in at this moment. Try not to change anything, just notice. Trace the outline of your own body with your attention.
  4. Now, close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, and let it go. Feel the sensations in your body as you breathe.
  5. Notice any other sensations in your body that capture your attention. As a new sensation arises, just notice it, without any judgment.
  6. Feel the sensations in your body as they change over time.
  7. Continue like this to build awareness in your body and to focus your mind.