Create a moment of indulgence with a warm, soothing mocktail (or cocktail). Find pleasure in practice and let go of expectation. 

tldr; 

return to your body

slow your mind

feel peace in your body

 

components

 

creating quiet—part I

Before we go inside, let’s create physical context to help shift between internal states. We limit our stimuli, to make space in our mind. Co-create context with a lover or find pleasure in a moment by yourself <3. 

 

find a space void of clutter

Clutter and chaos in our spaces is mirrored in our minds. We’re reminded of our unfinished to-do lists and responsibilities. We hold urgency to make progress enough in our day to day, in this moment we can allow them to be. Your space might be a

bedroom, couch, secluded office 

kitchen, nook  

sauna, shower, clawfoot

alter your visual perception

Creating the context for our minds and bodies to slow means limiting our stimuli. Intentionally pull away what your eyes can process. This looks like:

Turning off overhead lights

Lighting candles, tucked away warm lights

activate your limbic system with music

Music is a powerful language because of how deeply it interacts with our brain. It evokes strong feelings, memories, and physical responses, all through a combination of melody, rhythm, and harmony, effectively influencing our mood and state of mind.  

play a record

 

change your somatic setting

Slip into something comfortable and cozy. Something that feels soft or buttery to calm your nervous system

silky pajamas

oversized cotton ensemble 

 

 

the nervous system—part II

Slow your mind through one of these practices:

jot your thoughts

This is the first practice of letting go. Use one minute maximum to write down what is on your mind. Maybe it’s your to-do list, or anxieties from the day, apprehension about taking time for yourself, or possibly hopes for the rest of your practice. Your note isn’t positive or negative, good or bad, it simply reflects your state of being.

after you’ve written down your thoughts, crumple it, throw it across the room

slow your breath

Take 10 deep, rich, belly breaths and focus on one part of your body:

Feel your ribcage expand and stretch outward to the sides of the room 

Let the air swirl around your nose and through the channels of your body

Find stillness after each inhale and exhale

Feel your heart beat reverberate throughout your body

gently tap along your collar bone

Tapping on your collarbone is Traditional Chinese Medicine practice used to stimulate specific meridian points on your body. Tapping this meridian sends signals to the part of the brain that controls stress response, which can lead to a calming effect.

 

set an intention

mentally disconnecting from the world 

letting go of self-judgement

trying something new 

observing your body

 

play—part III

Finally, let’s play with your senses and welcome pleasure into your mind and body.

mix a drink

Ease your mind by using your hands and feeding your body. Methodical tactile play improves cognitive function, reduces stress, enhances creativity, and promotes mental wellbeing.

boil water 

combine ingredients

soak in the steam and warmth

notice the herbaceous notes

Feeding your body

Cinnamon: warming

Bay leaf: digestion

Basic yinstinct: hormone balancing

soft touch 

(optional)

with your warmed hands slowly begin placing your hands on your body. 

move your hands across your body in rhythm with your breath

play with pressure

pause 

notice your body

belly breath

finding pleasure

(optional)

find your clitoris indirectly

press your palm over your pubic bone

rock your fingers along the side of your labia

circle the pads of your finger tips over your clitoris

 

return to the world—part IV

After you’ve created a moment of pleasure, ease your transition back to our yangful world by…

thank yourself for practicing yin 

reflect on observations (not-judgements)

set an intention for your next moment of practice

be yinful