You Matter: Nurturing Self-Care through Mindful Attention In Rena's guided somatic mindfulness practice, we start with a few deep breaths, allowing our breath to find its natural rhythm. As we delve into our body's sensations, we're encouraged to recall the recent days, events, and interactions of Purim, noticing how our bodies respond without judgment. Rena prompts us to focus on any areas of tension or discomfort, giving them our full attention and care. We explore these sensations, perhaps giving them metaphorical shapes or colors, acknowledging their significance in the present moment. Throughout the practice, we cultivate a deep sense of connection and care for our bodies, recognizing their importance as our vessels in this world. With our breath, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing and honoring our bodies' needs, knowing we can return to this practice whenever necessary.

Past & Present Integration In Rena's guided somatic mindfulness practice, we started with gentle breath awareness, observing its temperature, pace, and depth without trying to alter it. Gradually, we shifted our focus to the sensations of our bodies, feeling the support beneath us and inviting further relaxation. With compassion, we explored the emotions and memories evoked by our Shabbos preparation to-do lists, acknowledging past experiences and needs left unmet. Through gentle inquiry and visualization, we tenderly addressed these unmet needs, allowing ourselves to imagine fulfillment and seeking support from Hashem. As we imagined preparing for the upcoming Shabbos, we bridged the past with the present, recognizing that while some needs went unmet before, we now have the power to try to meet them with Hashem's help. If you feel called to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care, please consider one or more of the following.  1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it. 2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website. 3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this. 4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/ Thank you for your support!

Accepting My Parts As They Are: No Change Needed In Rena's guided somatic mindfulness practice, we embarked on a journey of deepening our connection to our bodies and the present moment. We began with breath awareness, inviting each inhale and exhale to guide us deeper into ourselves. As we settled into our bodies, we observed sensations without judgment, allowing them to simply exist. With gentle curiosity, we explored the landscape of our inner selves, meeting sensations with compassion and acceptance. We listened attentively to the messages our bodies shared, honoring their wisdom without the need for them to change. Through this practice of deep listening and acceptance, we cultivated a profound sense of presence and understanding within ourselves. Here, we found a sanctuary of self-awareness and empathy, where every sensation and emotion was welcomed with open arms. If you feel called to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care, please consider one or more of the following.  1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it. 2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website. 3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this. 4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/ Thank you for your support!

Focusing on Body Sensations During Rena's guided somatic mindfulness practice, we began by taking deep breaths, allowing ourselves to notice the depth of each inhale without forcing any change. She guided us to feel the support of the surface beneath us, inviting our bodies to settle into it gradually. We focused intently on the part of our bodies most connected to the surface, acknowledging the sensations of support and comfort. Later, we shifted our focus to any sensations or physical pain within our bodies, zooming in on these experiences with gentle awareness. With each breath, we explored these sensations, allowing thoughts and emotions to arise and pass. Then, we expanded our awareness to include the space around these sensations, noticing any shifts or changes. Through this practice, we cultivated a sense of embodied presence, anchoring ourselves in the present moment. If you feel called to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care, please consider one or more of the following.  1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it. 2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website. 3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this. 4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/ Thank you for your support!

Harmonizing Dichotomy During Rena's guided somatic mindfulness practice, we journeyed inward, inviting our breath to echo in the present moment. We paused to notice the compassionate, loving way we could be with ourselves, feeling the depth and fullness of each breath. As we sank into our bodies, we acknowledged our current starting point and envisioned our ultimate goals, sensing the distance between them. Shifting between the present and the future, we allowed ourselves to experience both extremes, staying connected with compassion. Returning to the present, we focused on the next step, feeling relief and completion in each movement forward. We remained with these sensations, honoring our pace and connection with ourselves. If you feel called to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care, please consider one or more of the following.  1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it. 2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website. 3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this. 4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/ Thank you for your support!

Hunger Pains: An Exploration of Inner Longing We began by taking a few deep breaths, letting each exhale release a bit more tension. We invited our breath to fill us deeply, from stomach to chest, noticing which parts of our body welcomed it with gratitude and which struggled. As we settled into our bodies, we envisioned a scene in a restaurant, where we or another person hesitated over what to order. This metaphorical scene served as a poignant reflection of our inner landscape, where we often grapple with decisions and desires, which cannot be met unless we are first aware of what we're desiring. Like the patient waitress, we listened to our body's needs—physical, emotional, spiritual—sensing where hunger resided and what it desired. With compassion, we explored the origins of this hunger and what might satisfy it, allowing our bodies to speak their truth. Finally, we imagined fulfilling these needs, observing the ripple effects on our body and mind. We remained in this nurturing space, honoring ourselves for as long as it served us.  If you feel called to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care, please consider one or more of the following.  1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it. 2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website. 3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this. 4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/ Thank you for your support!

Affirming Our Worth: Healing Through Perceived Failure As Rena guided us, we started by honoring our breath, allowing it to resonate freely within us. It was a gentle reminder that it was okay to slow down, to grant ourselves the time we needed. With each breath, we rooted ourselves into the present moment, feeling the support of the surface beneath us. We were invited to confront moments of perceived failure as it related to preparing for Pesach, acknowledging any self-judgments. Then, we summoned the image of a supportive figure, real or imagined, and absorbed their affirmations into our being. Their words echoed within us, filling us with warmth and acceptance. We took the words of this person and multiplied their impact exponentially when offered by Hashem, enriching our experience of acceptance and love. If you feel called to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care, donations are gratefully accepted on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/

Embodied Inner Conflict In Rena's guided somatic mindfulness practice, we embarked on a journey of self-awareness and embodiment. Beginning with deep breaths, we tuned into the quality of our breath, noticing its pace and depth. With gentle guidance, we invited our bodies to settle and relax, feeling the surface beneath us. Acknowledging inner conflicts, we explored the tensions between our desires, allowing each part to express its needs fully. As we listened, we observed how these conflicts manifested within our bodies, embracing the sensations and emotions that arose. Through this process of dialogue and introspection, we learned to hold space for both sides of the conflict simultaneously, honoring the complexity of our experience. In this practice, we found unity within ourselves, inviting a solution that respects all aspects of our being. If you feel called to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care, donations are gratefully accepted on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/

Finding Freedom in the Body In Rena's guided somatic mindfulness practice, we begin by taking deep breaths, acknowledging the life force within us. With each inhale and exhale, we feel Hashem sustaining us. We tune into our bodies, feeling the support of the surface beneath us, allowing ourselves to settle and rest. This time is dedicated solely to ourselves, letting go of everything else. Rena invites us to bring to mind a challenging aspect of Pesach preparation, observing where and how we feel it in our bodies. We zoom in on these sensations, exploring them from different angles. Then, we shift focus to the purpose behind our challenges, aiming for a sense of Cherus / freedom. We recall moments of true freedom and Hashem's safety, feeling expansiveness in our bodies. Gradually, we zoom out, embracing the full experience of freedom. Finally, we reimagine the challenge enveloped in the sense of freedom, finding strength and renewal within ourselves. We choose a word to carry with us, reminding us that even in tough times, we can tap into a sense of spaciousness and capability. Rena encourages us to stay in this space for as long as we need, honoring our bodies' rhythms. If you feel called to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care, donations are gratefully accepted on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/