Hot Air Balloon
With the lockdown in full swing we now have ample opportunity to make the most of our indoor time. With breath taking indoor trips that we would otherwise not have the time for!
How about your very own Hot Air Balloon Ride? Below I am sharing exactly that: a guided morning meditation that takes you on a Hot Air Balloon ride of your own.
Place of departure? Your bed, couch or any other place where you feel comfortable laying on your back.
Time of departure? Well, morning. Makes you less likely to fall back asleep. Also ideal if you happen to wake up early, really early.
I used to call it “sleeping bag yoga”. There isn’t much yoga involved — except, of course, that we will be working with our center, just like yoga does — but ideally suited for a sleeping bag.Destination? Wherever your imagination will take you.
Body position? Might be slightly different compared to what you are used to during the standard type of meditation. We want gravity to help us instead of hinder us — Air Balloon Trip, no kidding — ánd we want to take advantage of your core power as much as we can. Hence, no lotus position. No “simply laying flat on your back” position, either.
The invitation is to lay on your back — easy when you’re still laying in bed. But to maximise the power of your core you are invited to raise your knees up to a position that is higher than your core / pelvis. Check this little clip for what that might look like.
It is important that holding that position is virtually effortless, and thus that the pillow fully supports your legs and knees.
In the clip, there’s also an indication of what the slight change in position might look like that is referred to further down in the meditation; the first is around the 25 min mark (holding the knees), the second is around the 28 min mark (rocking the knees, feel free to imagine a bellow once you get there :).
Anything else you can bring on this trip?
If you have a particular intention, feel free to bring it into your awareness before departure.
And if you have a particular guide / power source, you are welcome to take it/him/her with you on the journey as well.
Ah, good to know before you leave. This is not a cheap and short 5 minute ride. You’ll be getting the full treatment that takes you out for a full hour. If need be, you may want to take a bathroom break before take off.
Ready? You have a wonderful trip!
Once you get back from the trip, you can look throughout your day for those moments or events that blow air into your balloon. And also for those moments that take air out of it or that downright are pulling the balloon down because of their excessive weight. That input will tell you what to do again. And what to avoid, if you can.
Also, you may want to remain mindful of your intention if you had set one. Insights related to that intention might show up in the most unexpected places or moments.
Let me know how you liked the trip. I have found this type of trip particularly powerful. When I wake up, and before I have mediated my body tends to feel like an empty hot air balloon, and my mind not very excited either.
But after the meditation I find myself in a totally different reality: very different perspective, better overview, much more positive outlook, often specific plans for the day, where and with whom to connect etc. The place from which I experience the rest of my day is totally different compared to when I would have not gone on the trip. There clearly is some type of magic involved.
