A six-week self-compassions, health and empowerment workshop created by SHE team.

Deep Breathing is a simple yet powerful relaxation technique. It’s easy to learn and an easy way to elicit the relaxation response. We can practice Deep Breathing almost anywhere. All we need is to find a few minutes and a place to sit up or lie down.

Progressive muscle relaxation is a relaxation technique that involves alternating tension and relaxation in all of the body’s major muscle groups. In progressive muscle relaxation, we focus on the sensations of tension in one particular muscle group at a time. Then when we release that tension, we focus on the sensations of relaxation in that same muscle group. We move progressively from one muscle group to another through our whole body, repeating the tension and relaxation.

Visualization or guided imagery, is a relaxation technique that involves imaging positive, peaceful scenes like a beautiful beach or a quiet wooded glen in order to relieve all tension and stress and calm the mind.

Self-compassion is treating ourselves with the same kindness and understanding as we would treat a friend who is having a hard time. Self-compassion is treating ourselves as we would like others—family and friends—to treat us.

Mindfulness is noticing what you are experiencing while you’re experiencing it. For example, please raise your hands and wiggle your fingers. If you can feel your fingers wiggling, that’s mindfulness. Next, let’s experience mindfulness through using each of your senses.

Loving-kindness meditation is a form of meditation that uses a series of phrases to evoke feelings of loving-kindness or compassion. Phrases can be friendly wishes or good intentions, such as “May I be happy,” “May I live with ease”, “May I be free from fear,” “May I be kind to myself”.