The Embodied Jewish Woman with Rena Reiser

We recorded this one fast — "recording in 30 minutes, send your questions" fast. The questions that came in were honest ones. About the weight of expectations, the mishloach manos pressure, the teenagers you can't control, the joy you're supposed to feel but don't. The life force that feels stifled. My husband and I sat with all of it. Before you press play: What's the one thing about Purim you're most bracing yourself for? Freilichen Purim, Rena

This practice uses the physical boundary between your body and the surface supporting you as a way to sense into relational boundaries — where you end and another person begins. When to use this practice:

• Before a conversation where you need to set a boundary
• When you're not sure if you're taking on someone else's emotions
• After listening to "His Reaction Is Not Your Responsibility"
• When you know you need to say no but feel guilty about it
• Anytime you're struggling to distinguish between what's yours and what's theirs

What you'll need:

• 10-15 minutes of quiet
• A comfortable place to sit or lie down
• A boundary situation that has some charge, but isn't your most intense one (around 3/10)

Note: Boundaries aren't meant to control the other person's reaction. They're for you — to know what's yours to hold and what isn't.

You know that conversation that starts with one thing and somehow ends with both of you feeling terrible? This episode is the antidote to that. My husband Rabbi Yonasan Reiser and I speak about asking for what you need in marriage, and how you handle it when the answer is no. We role play it. Twice. The difference is striking. If you've ever swallowed a need because you were afraid of how he'd react, this one's for you.