Happiness Break: A Practice In Moving Through Stress

Join yoga and meditation teacher Jonathan Relucio for a trauma-informed practice combining mindful movement and breathing to reduce tension and build resilience to stress.
How To Do This Practice:

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Get comfortable: Sit or lie down and notice the support beneath your body, keeping your eyes open or closed—whichever feels comfortable.

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Connect with your body: Bring your attention inward and notice how your body, mind, and heart feel in the present moment.

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Release tension: Inhale as you gently shrug your shoulders toward your ears, then exhale as you relax and release them.

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Move with your breath: Inhale as you reach your arms overhead, then exhale as you gently bend from side to side, noticing the sensations in your body.

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Breathe into your belly: Place one hand on your belly and notice it expand as you inhale and relax as you exhale, following the natural rhythm of your breath.

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Pause and notice: Return to your natural breathing and take a moment to notice how your body and mind feel before continuing with your day.

Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.
Today’s Happiness Break Guide:
JONATHAN RELUCIO is a trauma-informed yoga and meditation teacher with 20 years of experience in community organizing, social services, training, and leadership development.
Learn more about Jonathan here: jonathanrelucio.com
Related Happiness Break episodes:
Embodying Resilience: tinyurl.com/3d2ma8tw
Visualizing Your Purpose: tinyurl.com/mwze59jx
The Healing Power of Your Own Touch: tinyurl.com/rrtpje2x
Related Science of Happiness episodes:
How To Feel Better About Yourself: tinyurl.com/3jave7h2
What To Do When Stress Takes Over: tinyurl.com/yxf3jawn
The Contagious Power of Compassion: tinyurl.com/y6bpvbv5
We’d love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.
Find us on Apple Podcasts:tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap
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Transcription: tinyurl.com/3v9rapra