I stumbled upon this idea one day while meditating. It was during a time when I was having trouble relaxing my body after several days of intense workouts in the fitness studio. I sat down between appointments in the middle of the afternoon to see if a 10-minute meditation might help.

As soon as I closed my eyes I had the impulse to imagine how my body looked in its fatigued, tight state. So, that’s what I did. I visualized myself with my eyes shut. I was surprised at how quiet I seemed in my imagination. Like last week’s meditation on the tree, I felt myself slip into the quiet state I was “watching.” Within a few minutes I went back to work feeling relaxed and rested.

Here’s a guided meditation for you to try. Click here for the audio version.

Begin to observe yourself as if you’re looking from the outside. Picture where you’re sitting, what you’re wearing, how your hands are resting in your lap or on your knees. Imagine your face - your skin, jaw, cheeks, nose, lips, eyebrows, and eyelids. Now shift to a view from above. See your chest rising and falling gently with your breath. Now notice the back of your body. Watch your shoulders move with your breathing. Continue to “watch” yourself meditate. Feel the tension in your body let go, your mind become focused. Meditate on yourself meditating to go deeper.

As a mental health professional, an owner of a fitness studio, a writer and a wife, mother and grandmother, I have found meditation to be helpful in every aspect of my life. Let's talk... My novel, A Barroom View of Love, is in an online contest. To read a chapter and vote go to nexttopauthor.com/?aid=580 You can also contact me at susanmmorales@yahoo.com or check out my websites: susanscottmorales.com and bodiesinbalancefitness.com