Heart Opening: Embodied Prayer
- Anne Lawrence, Ph.D.
- Jun 28
- 2 min read
This month, I traveled to South Seaside Park, NJ, a barrier island on the Atlantic coast, for the first weekend retreat of the two-year focusing training and certification program that I am co-facilitating with Beth Mahler, LCSW.
On Saturday morning, our group woke early to see the sun rise over the ocean. Through hushed streets, we meandered a few blocks from the retreat house toward the shore. Not even the pitch pines stirred.
At the threshold between sidewalk and sand, a beach rose opened her heart to me, inviting me to do the same. In reverence, I removed my sandals.
Stepping onto the beach, I was immediately embraced by morning mist. Although I could hear the rhythmic roar of waves, I could barely distinguish sand from sea, or sea from sky. All was unified in a field of fog.
Facing this hazy expanse, our group gathered before Beth, a yogi as well as a focusing-oriented therapist. She guided us through the pranayama practice Breath of Joy, embodying the ocean.
Once Beth had modeled this vigorous, whole-body breathing, she encouraged us to find our own flow through the movements. Surging, swelling, rising, releasing, we mirrored both Beth and our wild Atlantic teacher. Amidst the thunderous turmoil, Beth assured us, “Breath of Joy opens the heart.”
After several cycles through the practice, she invited us to sit in silent stillness, letting the threshold between our inner and outer ocean vanish in the mist. I reclined in a hammock-like beach chair, sinking into the sand. It held me as I held the weight of the world. It let me let go. Filled and enfolded by sea air, I opened to joy.
Opening to Presence:
A Body Prayer
Choose a place that helps you to be present.
Stand up or sit down.
Feel the support of the ground under your feet or the chair under your hips.
Breathe.
As you breathe, allow Presence to relax your body and to open you to trust.
As you breathe, allow Presence to soften your heart and to open you to love.
As you breathe, allow Presence to quiet your mind and to open you to peace.
Opening to trust, raise your arms above your head and gently spread them to form the shape of a receiving vessel (a “∨”).
As you breathe, invite Presence.
Opening to love, cross your hands on the center of your chest.
As you breathe, enjoy Presence.
Opening to peace, lower your arms beside your hips and gently spread them to form the shape of an outpouring vessel (a “∧”).
As you breathe, inspire Presence.
Repeat this body prayer at your own pace:
Opening to trust, invite Presence.
Opening to love, enjoy Presence.
Opening to peace, inspire Presence.
When it feels right for you, bring your body prayer to a graceful rest.
Thank Presence for opening you to trust, love, and peace.
Thank your body for inviting, enjoying, and inspiring Presence.
Thank your chosen place for supporting your body prayer.
