Let's begin by taking a slow, comfortable breath in through your nose. [Pause 4 seconds] And as you exhale, allow your body to settle more deeply into its supporting surface. [Pause 6 seconds] With each breath, you may notice the natural rhythm of your breathing becoming more relaxed and peaceful, like gentle waves washing upon a shore. [Pause 7 seconds]
Starting with your toes, notice any tension they might be holding. [Pause 4 seconds] As you exhale, let that tension melt away like snow in warm sunlight. [Pause 6 seconds] This relaxation flows up through your feet, softening each muscle. [Pause 5 seconds] Moving into your ankles, feel them becoming loose and relaxed. [Pause 6 seconds]
Let this wave of comfort drift up through your calves [Pause 4 seconds], your knees [Pause 4 seconds], and into your thighs. [Pause 5 seconds] Each muscle group becoming softer, heavier, more relaxed with every breath. [Pause 7 seconds]
Notice the weight of your hips and lower back sinking deeper into their supporting surface, like settling into the softest cloud. [Pause 8 seconds] This peaceful sensation flows up your spine, vertebra by vertebra, releasing any tension it finds along the way. [Pause 7 seconds]
Your shoulders, often carrying so much tension, can now completely let go. [Pause 5 seconds] Feel them becoming heavy and warm, as if wrapped in a cozy blanket of relaxation. [Pause 6 seconds] This comfort extends down your arms, through your elbows, into your forearms and wrists. [Pause 7 seconds] Your hands becoming soft and peaceful, each finger relaxing one by one. [Pause 8 seconds]
The muscles of your neck and throat softening [Pause 4 seconds], your jaw becoming loose and comfortable [Pause 5 seconds], your tongue relaxing in your mouth. [Pause 6 seconds] Feel this wave of tranquility washing over your face, smoothing away any tension around your eyes, your forehead becoming smooth and serene. [Pause 8 seconds]
And now, as your entire body rests in this deeply peaceful state, imagine you're slowly descending a beautiful staircase. [Pause 5 seconds] With each step down, you drift twice as deep into relaxation. [Pause 6 seconds] Ten... drifting deeper... [Pause 4 seconds] Nine... more and more relaxed... [Pause 4 seconds] Eight... letting go completely... [Pause 5 seconds] Seven... sinking deeper still... [Pause 8 seconds]
With each breath out, you can let go a little more, like leaves gradually falling from a tree in autumn. [Pause 7 seconds] And with each breath in, you can gather fresh, renewing energy, like morning dew collecting on flower petals. [Pause 8 seconds]