When the Body Whispers: A Practice for Slowing Down and Coming Home

inspired by my recent vacation....

There are seasons for becoming—and seasons for returning. In a culture that rewards acceleration, it’s easy to forget that slowness is not stagnation. It’s sacred. It’s where your body softens enough to hear oneself again. After years—maybe decades—of striving, many of us are relearning how to be. Not perform. Not push. Not produce. Just be.

But that’s not just a mindset shift. It’s a body practice.

The Wisdom of Slowing

When we pause, even for a moment, we meet the parts of ourselves we’ve been rushing past. We notice the breath we’ve been holding. The ache in our jaw. The tension disguised as productivity. The quiet yearning for something simpler, softer, slower. Stillness isn’t empty—it’s fertile. It’s where the deepest parts of us come back online. So instead of asking “what should I do next?” We get to ask: “What do I need to feel safe being fully here, now?”

For the Body: A Practice to Come Back to Stillness

This practice is a gentle invitation to drop beneath the noise and return to yourself.

The Three-Breath Drop-In

You can do this anywhere—lying down, sitting on a cushion, or stepping outside into the air. Take just a few moments. You don’t need a lot of time. You just need a little willingness.

1. First Breath – Arrive: Let your inhale come gently. As you exhale, feel your body drop into gravity. Whisper to yourself: I am here.

2. Second Breath – Soften: On your next exhale, let one part of you soften—your shoulders, your belly, your throat. Say silently: I don’t have to hold it all right now.

3. Third Breath – Listen: Let your final breath be an invitation to listen—not for words, but for sensation. Ask: What do I need right now to feel more like myself?

No need to answer with your mind. Let your body speak.

Closing Reflection:

Slowing down is not a failure of momentum. It’s the birthplace of alignment. In stillness, we find our truest rhythm. Not the one handed to us by culture, family, or our calendar—but the one that has always lived inside. So, if today you feel the pull to do less. To cancel the plan. To close your laptop. To stare out the window and let your eyes unfocus…

That might not be resistance. That might be wisdom. Let it lead you home.