This years focus is SELF ACCEPTANCE. If you ever criticise yourself, judge yourself or think for a moment that you are less than the glorious being that you truly are - she's made this for you.
Here's Holiday herself discussing why self acceptance has everything to do with meditation and mindfulness.
Over 400 people have taken part in her previous challenges.
Since then she's taught more than 1000 new meditators, and the thing she hears over and over again is the struggle to manage our inner critic - that voice that tells you - you should be better. That constantly chimes in to tell you you're not successful enough, pretty enough, spiritual enough. That tells you that you'll only be truly happy when you become a better version of yourself. We think that voice can 'do one'. So she's launching this challenge to help you realise that you don't have to be perfect, that you don't have to be anything more than you are to be worthy and that YOU ARE ENOUGH!
We've shared the first 10 days of her 30 day challenge below and we really hope you'll join us and Holiday on this journey - Ready to Start Meditating?
Days 1-10 Self Acceptance Guided Meditation Videos
Each day for the next 30 days, she will guide you through one meditation a day - from getting into a relaxed state, meditating for a specific purpose, giving you time for silent reflection and closing the practice.
Expect clear relaxing instructions, a different focus for each day from body scanning, deep breathing to being mindful of sounds, and ultimately you’ll be setting yourself up to know exactly how to start meditating on your own for self acceptance.
The first 10 Days’ guided meditations are posted below.
Day 1 - Mindfulness of Breath
In today's meditation we practise being in the present moment, by focussing on our breath. Whenever the mind wanders (which it will for all of us!) gently guide your attention back to your breath and start again.
Day 2 - Mindfulness of Breath Part 2
Today, we'll focus on our breath again, but this time, I'll guide a little less and give you more space to be in your own meditation. Remember, it doesn't matter how many times your mind wanders, just guide it back to the breath whenever you notice and start again!
Day 3 - Mindfulness of Sound
One of the simplest, most direct ways to connect with the present moment is to become aware of the many sounds that are constantly around us. Sounds are always here - be here now, with them.
Day 4 - Mindfulness of Sounds Part 2
Again we'll focus on sounds today. Remember - sounds are just as much a part of the present moment as my voice or breath. Try as best you can to accept them as they are.
PS: You'll hear my local seagulls really going for it during this meditation.They must have known we were doing mindfulness of sounds!! :)
Day 5 - Mindfulness of Thoughts
We often treat our thoughts as if they are facts. So when we have negative or critical thoughts, we believe them. But just like sounds or our breath, thoughts come and go. When we can turn our attention to our thoughts, just like we did to our breath or sound, as a non-judgemental observer, watching them come and go - we start to free ourselves.
Day 6 - Mindfulness of Thoughts Part 2
Remember your thoughts aren't facts and you don't have to believe them. Just like sounds or breath - they will pass.
Day 7 - Be Here Now
First of all congratulations! You've made it through the first week of this challenge. You are an amazing, meditating, supremo. I'm proud of you. Today we put it all your work this week together to spend 5 minutes, being here, now, with whatever arises. A beautiful meditation and a chance to just take some time for yourself.
An introduction on what is self compassion.
Day 8 - Self Compassion Break
When something bad happens, we often make ourselves feel far worse because of the way we judge and criticise ourselves. In the self compassion break we meditate by replacing our self-critical voice with a more compassionate one. One to learn in meditation and then use in life!
Day 9 - Self Compassion Break Part 2
Again - we connect to our compassionate voice. When feeling down, ask not "what did I do wrong?" but instead "what do I need to care for myself in this moment". Try it, see how your life changes!
Day 10 - Soothing Touch
Much research shows that physical comfort releases oxytocin, calms the cardiovascular system & soothes difficult emotions. So a really direct way to help yourself when you are feeling stressed, sad or self-critical is to physically comfort yourself wit a hug, squeeze or simply a hand on your heart (as we'll do in this meditation!)
It may seem awkward or embarrassing at first - but your body doesn't know that! Your body just responds to the physical gesture of care, just like a baby would to being in a parent's arms.
Learn the basic techniques of meditating to free yourself from stress and self criticism with Holiday Phillips's 30 Day Guided Meditation videos. Find days 1-10 here.
Continue learning the basic techniques of meditating to free yourself from stress and self criticism with Holiday Phillips's 30 Day Guided Meditation videos. Find days 11-20 here.
Continue advancing your understanding and practice of meditation with the last chapter of Holiday Phillips's 30 Day Guided Meditation videos. Find days 21-30 here.
Holiday is a fresh new voice in the meditation world, calling the style she teaches Soulfulness - mindfulness with the soul. Fusing the practise of mindfulness - that teaches us to live in the present moment with the more soulful practises of compassion, affirmation and gratitude - that teach us to love ourselves and the life we are in.
Intent on bringing meditation to the next generation of meditators, Holiday has trained for years with some of the best meditation teachers in the world to help you with your meditation practice.
She founded Breathe & Stop – a modern meditation training rooted in science and free from fluff and facilitates regular meditation events - check out her events page for details.
