How to Enhance the Benefits of The Mindful Touch
As we mentioned in the previous chapter, the best way to achieve solid and lasting benefits from mindfulness is to consolidate your practice by spending 10 to 15 minutes a day on it. This information is also very useful for your clients so they fall even more deeply in love with this technique. Keep reminding them that constancy is fundamental in order for it leave a neuronal imprint on their brain (in other words, noticeable effects in the long term).
INCLUDE MINDFULNESS IN YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE
With our hectic daily lives, it might seem impossible to set aside 10 minutes a day for mindfulness. But what if we said that you can practise it while you are using cosmetic products that take a little time to act? You already know from The Mindful Touch that combining full attention with cosmetics is a powerful beauty tool. If, in addition to the ritual in the salon, you and your clients can continue to benefit from this combination at home, success is guaranteed. Do you want to know how? It’s simple: just do one of the exercises we suggest while you are waiting for your face mask or peeling to take effect.
CONCENTRATE ON YOUR BREATHING
Do some deep breathing, focusing all your attention on the air going in and out of your nose. Count to 5 as you breathe in, hold the air for a second and make the exhalation a little longer, counting to 6. On days when you are feeling a little more stressed, you can shorten the inhalation to a count of 4 and don’t hold the air in before breathing out. To receive the benefits of this breathing you need to engage your lower abdominal muscles, moving them in and out with your breath without raising or tensing your shoulders. If your mind wanders, you can bring it back by observing something specific, for instance the motion of your abdominal muscles.
SELF-SCAN YOUR BODY
You will find this exercise easier to do if you have a little experience with mindful breathing. Find a comfortable position, either sitting with your back straight or lying down. Mentally check each part of your body, noticing sensations without moving a single muscle. You can start with the movement of your abdomen as you breathe, then focus your mind on your toes and slowly travel right up to the crown of your head, stopping to pay attention to each point for a few seconds before moving on to the next.
GUIDED MEDITATION
If you don’t feel you can do this alone yet, there are many tools available to help you. There are a multitude of mobile apps, YouTube videos and podcasts that offer meditations with guided breathing, body scanning and positive affirmations, among other options. We suggest you search around and test a few to find the one which suits you best. That way you can also recommend one to your clients that has worked for you.
