Resilience Practice Building and Sustaining Our Resistance

There are ways to take care of yourself so that you may continue to resist.

    Resilience Practice resonated with me because it centered on taking care of yourself and grounding yourself. Within this small passage we learn to take care of ourselfs in a creative fashion. I have found that I enjoy moments where I am creative and am able to work with my hands. I have spent a lot of time playing with air dry clay or painting within the last year and through having done these activities, I have come to realize that I feel a sense of calm. My mind is not moving at hyperspeed. I can take a deep breath in, and be in the moment.

    Learning to Ground Yourself

    1. Begin by doing a breathing exercise. Stand up so that you may be able to crouch down. Place your arms with the fingers lightly touching each other in front of you while crouched down. When taking a deep breath in, stand slowly and spread yours until they’re above your head. Hold the breath in for 3 seconds. Breath out by beginning to bend your knees and lowering your arms to the beginning pose. Repeat three times.
      • If standing and crouching is not possible, it can be done while sitting or laying down. Begging by taking a deep breath in 3 seconds. Hold for 3 seconds, and breath out for 3 second. Repeat four times. If you already have a breathing exercise in mind, you’re welcome to do it instead!
    2. Find a space in which you feel safe and comfortable in. This can be anywhere.
    3. Answer the following questions in a medium that calls to you. Maybe you want to write, or even create a collage. A playlist could also answer the questions. Anything you feel will best answer the questions is welcomed!
      • What were your feelings like before the breathing exercise?
      • How did you feel during the breathing exercise?
      • How are you feeling after the breathing exercise?