We would like to welcome our new Billabong host, Yoga teacher, meditation coach and Reiki master, Imogen French. She shows us how to take up our space and expand into our full selves.

So many of us are taught to play small, to feel small, to do less, to be quieter, to not take up too much space or time. But we’re here, you’re worthy to be here, we’re all worthy to be here. So I would like to invite you to feel into the edges of your space. Take your space, it is your birthright.

Try this practice:

Ground
Sit or stand comfortably. Let your feet root into the earth. Take one slow inhale, one slow exhale.

Notice Your Edges
Bring awareness to the outline of your body — your shoulders, your spine, your hands, your breath. Notice where you end and the world begins.

Expand
Gently stretch your arms out to the sides, palms open. Spread your fingers. Lift through the crown of your head, lengthening your spine. Let your chest soften and widen.

Breathe Into Your Space
Imagine your breath moving beyond your body, filling the space around you with warmth and permission. Inhale: I expand. Exhale: I belong.

Return With Presence
Slowly bring your arms back in, placing your hands over your heart or resting them in your lap. Feel the difference between contraction and spaciousness.

Affirm
Silently repeat: I am allowed to take up space. This is my place to be.

Feel where you belong, this is yours. Notice the difference between when we’re small and when we expand physically. Namaste.