Welcome, lovely one. You have found your way to Held. by Lauren Barber — a digital sanctuary for your heart and soul. Here you will find words on motherhood, creativity and sacred business, together with poetry, practices and personal essays that speak honestly and openly about the living artistry that it is to be human.
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Hello lovely one,
How is your heart feeling?
I have missed writing to you over these past few weeks. Life has been full in a whole medley of ways. I won’t apologise for my silence because this is what it is to be human, but please know that this space, and this community are always in my awareness.
I am coming to you today from my shady front room. It is the only place in the house that is bearable at this time of day in the current heatwave we are experiencing. Even my studio outside becomes something of a sweatbox by lunchtime.
In the UK we are yet to learn the ways of managing our energy in the heat. I love the way many countries approach this, using the cooler early hours to ‘get things done’ then slowing down during the hottest hours of the day to conserve energy. I can see now why ‘siestas’ are a necessity in some parts of the world, perhaps as the temperatures rise we may adopt this in this culture too.
Alas… for now, school pickup falls around the most sweltering time of the day so we have been sinking into new daily rituals of cold baths and showers as soon as we get home (after a sticky iced lollies that is!) and then draping our bodies over the sofa either listening to audio books, crafting or watching TV.
There are high emotions all round in our household currently, and I, for one, am counting down the number of school drop-offs I have to negotiate until we meet slow and steady lazy summer mornings (and no doubt squabbling of course).
How are you finding this season so far? Do comment below, or reply to me and let me know.
If you are ‘feeling the heat’, or simply just need a pause, my hope is that what I am sharing with you today will offer you a refreshing place to come to.
I had the immense honour of holding a small group through a three hour mini retreat last week in my garden studio. We sat with Ceremonial Cacao, moved lovingly through a heart-centred Yin yoga practice and I then guided a watery-inspired Yoga Nidra practice before we painted pebbles and pulled Oracle cards.
I wish that I could sit with each of you in the same way, however, the next best thing to that, I hope, is to share the Yoga Nidra practice with you.
So, I invite you to create a little nest of comfort, to lay your body down with as much support and cushioning as you need, and to let yourself be guided through the practice below
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A few pointers for your Yoga Nidra practice…
Land yourself in a comfortable, warm space, where you won’t be disturbed.
The practice is usually done lying down, so have whatever you need to be the most comfortable in this position ready before you start. Of course if lying down is not suitable for you for any reason, then find whatever way you can be totally relaxed and let your body rest. You can use props and support to ensure your body is fully held.
I find a yoga mat and blanket underneath me is the perfect base, (if you have a sheepskin rug then this is the ultimate!) and another blanket to place over the body will keep you warm during the practice. I personally also put thick socks and slippers on because my feet get cold, and the temperature of the body tends to drop during practice, so make sure you are extra snuggly. You can have a pillow under the knees, under the head and an eye pillow if you wish too.
You may also like to have a relaxing essential oil blend diffusing in your space, or light a candle to create a sacred and nurturing environment for your practice.
There is no ‘right or wrong’ way to enjoy this practice, every experience is unique to you and may change each time you do it. Sometimes it can take a few times before our body settles and surrenders to rest - and some days it is easier than others. If you find yourself dropping off to sleep, just trust that you received what you needed from the practice, even if that was a little nap!
Please be gentle with yourself and allow whatever surfaces to come up with compassion and without judgement.
If you do need to drive or operate any machinery after the practice, please ensure you ground yourself once you have finished, with perhaps a piece of chocolate or other item of food, a glass of water, or getting a little fresh air.
I would love to know if you enjoy this practice, please do reply and let me know, and if you do enjoy it please share it with someone you think might need to receive it too.
This will be available for free to all subscribers of Held for the next few weeks. After that it will be available for paid members of The Balm. If you wish to upgrade and receive the entire library of practices please do click below.
Until next time, go gently,
Love
Lauren
xxx
If something has stirred within you as you read my words, I would love to invite you a little further into my world.
I am Lauren — mother, business mentor, website artist, human design guide, writer, sacred space holder and multi-faceted creative alchemist. The thread running through everything I do is this… creating powerful yet nurturing containers for women to remember and rise into their own unique medicine.
To explore the fuller landscape of my heart work, come find me at www.laurenbarber.co. There you will find a portal of offerings for the mystics, the dreamers, the visionaries, the mothers, the healers and the heart-centred human beings.
And if you are a woman weaving soul into the way you work and lead, my Sacred Business newsletter is a quieter, deeper conversation. Step gently in through my free Gateway experience here.
I am so honoured to hold you here. x
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