Practice Journal

An ongoing collection of invitations for somatic and creative experimentation.

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Find them by hovering over or tapping the small white dots in the lower righthand corners of each image.

Boredom isn’t bad. Instead of immediately seeking distractions when feeling bored, take time to sit with boredom as you would a friend. Use your curiosity to delve into the discomfort. Can you uncover any insights boredom offers about yourself and your emotional state?

All cultures develop through ways of listening.

Deep Listening is listening in every possible way, to everything it’s possible to hear, no matter what you are doing.

-Pauline Oliveros

Use any kind of paint and paper to play with shapes. Explore the beauty of not knowing. What will come when you don’t have to have a plan or agenda?

Let your breath be an emotional flashlight. Start at your toes, shining your breath in all the nooks and crannies of your body as you make your way to your head. Note any sensations you find and try to let your awareness couple those sensations with emotions.

The sky is a never-ending source of inspiration. The next time you find a sky that moves you, notice how you experience it. Is it how you think about its beauty? Or how you feel the colors in your body? Notice the quality of your sensations and thoughts. Write some of it down or dance it out. Let awe be your motivation.

Ever touched some thing that filled you with disgust? How about deep pleasure? Check out the next piece of wood or the bag of beans in your cupboard. Find the words to describe what you feel.

Consider the “touch” of light. It can be harsh, gentle, opaque, sensuous, or illuminating. Notice how it shapes your perspective or feelings when you focus on how it’s lighting something rather than on the thing it’s lighting.

Chaos is constant. We navigate it all the time by focusing. Notice how you manage chaos. Do you lean on your device to soothe? Do you go on walks or numb yourself with distractions? Do you make time to connect with people you love? What happens if you try a new approach instead of whatever the one is that leaves you feeling overwhelmed?

Oxalis, or sweetgrass, is a flower that grows abundantly in San Francisco. Pick one and chew the stem. Notice where the tart crispness lands on your palate.

Next time you pass a flower, take a moment to notice the pistil in the center. As you take it in, notice how and where you feel the experience in your body. Write at least three sentences to describe it.

The Light Date

Take yourself on a date with light. Use any medium you want to capture the way light in all its varied ways impacts or moves you.

Gratitude for the Little Things

Find a couple minutes in your day to take 5 slow breaths. On the inhale, first thought best thought here, send thanks to someone or something that brought you joy. On the exhale send love there.

Organize a space with curiosity and care. Pick up an item you want to put away. Take a deep breath through your nose and ask what this object means to you. On the exhale give it thanks for its purpose. If you find it has none pass on to someone else.