What happens if you don't try so hard?

This practice focuses on the upper and middle back, the thoracic spine. It's the only area of your spine that doesn't have a lot of mobility since the ribs are attached to it. That's why it's so important to open this space. And because of its closeness to the neck, the base of the brain and the nervous system, working here very quickly brings us back to our center.

We release the hands and wrists (a big one if you do a lot of computer typing), move through gentle cranial-sacral movements, and isolate the rib cage with tiny, snail-like movements and what I call the dancing rib cage. These tiny movements create such a big opening and release. Along the way, we let the breath have its own sound, opening up the chest, the heart, and the lungs.

As you've read in my book, curiosity cannot go anywhere unless we meet it with kindness. So when you notice one side feels different from the other, remember: comparison says, "Why is this side different?" Curiosity says, "Isn't that interesting?" Your body doesn't mind change. Only your mind does.

What's included

  • A short welcome video

  • The full 33-minute guided practice

  • Yours to download and keep, so you can return whenever you need it

Yours to keep

One-time purchase. Download it, keep it, and come back whenever your body needs it.

What you'll need

A blanket or mat on the floor and about 35 quiet minutes. You can also set this up on your bed: just put a mat down with a blanket over it.

Guided by Ann Saffi Biasetti, Level 3 Certified SATYA Teacher and Certified Yoga Therapist.

May you stay aware, awake, and connected to your inner experience.