The Embodied Jewish Woman with Rena Reiser

Orienting Outside and Inside

Body Scan and Emotional Acceptance

Rena led a guided meditation focused on breathing and body awareness. She began by guiding the participants to focus on their breath going in and out of their heart space, then conducted a body scan from feet to head, noting any sensations or emotions in each area. She then asked the participants to consider the thoughts and emotions associated with their current state, how it influences their decisions and self-perception. Following this, she encouraged the participants to imagine the opposite of their current emotions and thoughts, noting any new feelings or perspectives that arose. The meditation ended when the participants felt ready to rest or move on.

Focusing and Defocusing

Rena guided a relaxation exercise. She instructed participants to focus on their breathing, observe their nervous system's state, and explore their surroundings with curiosity. She then encouraged them to focus on a specific object, and use their body's sensations to connect with the object. The practice included a visual exercise where participants looked at a word and sensed it in their body, followed by a relaxation of the senses. Rena then invited participants to notice any other sensations or feelings that needed attention, and to focus on the vastness of the space around them. The exercise concluded with a reminder to notice all the neutral or good feelings in their bodies.

Embodied Integration Meditation

In this guided meditation, participants are encouraged to take deep breaths and focus on the phrase "My Neshama holds all my parts." The meditation involves bringing intention into each word and exploring the distinction between oneself and various emotional parts within. Participants are guided to notice what is supporting their body, acknowledge their current mood, and explore emotions without judgment. The meditation encourages a gentle exploration of feelings and their physical manifestations, emphasizing the idea that one's higher self or Neshama holds all emotions. The practice includes imagining the opposite of current emotions, observing thoughts and sensations, and ultimately breathing in the affirmation "My Neshama holds all my parts" to foster a sense of self-acceptance and integration.

In this Q&A episode (from back in the summer!) I discuss: What to do when others around you are triggering you Why we offer self-empathy How to feel regulated when the systems around us feel broken What happens to others when we regulate our nervous systems How to manage other people's energy when you're an HSP (highly sensitive person) What triggers represent How neuroplasticity helps us shift our reactions to our triggers How to work with judgment - whether from self or others