Ways to stay Grounded and Connected during an Action

Check-ins

We want to develop resilience and wellbeing through introspection and deepening our support networks (for arrestables and non-arrestables). Regularly checking in with each other during actions can help us to:

Recognise, observe and explore our emotions

Develop greater connection and a feeling of support and safety between each other

Ground the group at times of heightened emotion

Uncover and respond to the needs of the group

Self soothing techniques

Focus on your breathing, observing your breath, first without changing it and then very gradually lengthening your exhales. Try to only focus on breathing out, trusting that breathing in happens naturally as and when your body needs it.

Bringing your attention to your feet and feeling connected to the immediate ground under your feet, and through it, to the soil, the earth, the planet. You are part of a whole and you are connected to it, through your body and through your feet at all times. You are on safe ground.

Bringing attention to your senses – 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you can smell, 1 thing you can taste.

Broadening out your vision (Owl vision), looking as far around you as you can – all the way up to the sky, all the way down to your feet. All the way to your left and all the way to your right. Our vision sometimes contracts when we are scared and we lose sight of what’s important.

Loosening your shoulders by pulling them up as hard as you can and then letting them fall down. Repeat a few times. Turn your head very slowly from one side to the middle, to the other side, to the middle again. Repeat a few times. We tend to tense around our neck and shoulders in times of stress, actively releasing this tension can help you relax.

Shake out

Shaking is a normal response to tension in the body, shaking releases the tension and relaxes the muscles which has a direct affect on your nervous system. We love a quick shake out or dance break with a group mid action.

Connecting with your heart intelligence – a simple practice for rebels

Possible initial physical activity such as a shake to release stagnant fear and anger.

Rooting feet on the floor, bending the knees begin by shaking the hands, releasing anything that they may be carrying that no longer serves you; introducing other parts of the body, with the breath, and the voice if you feel like moving this too. The intention to let go of anything you may be carrying on a physical level. When the energy is subsided, an invitation to come to a place of stillness.

3 collective breaths with the intention of presencing the senses and releasing any unwanted tension from body or mind.

Either sitting or standing, an invitation to close eyes if this feels appropriate.

An invitation to place your hands on your heart. To hold your heart with infinite kindness.

Begin breathing into the heart centre/chest area. Expanding the chest and awareness of chest with every full breath in and release breath from your heart centre as you breathe out.

Coming into a more centred awareness in the heart centre/chest imagine and see your heart in your minds eye.

Imagine a ball of light expanding throughout the chest. Feeling your heart become lighter and brighter.

Taking a few moments here.

Accessing gratitude: Ask “What am I grateful for?” Rather than thinking too much, finding the answer for this in the body/the heart centre and connect to the sensations that arise, breathing into this place. It could be a memory of joy, love or serenity.

Returning to your breath as you feel the memory of your heart. See and feel your heart smiling.

Returning to the feeling of lightness and expansion of your beautiful heart.

Becoming aware of the glow of other hearts in the room, noticing them, noticing the power of the network of hearts.

Thanking your bountiful, magnificent, buoyant heart and the hearts of others. Taking 3 collective breaths.

Letting go slowly of the focus on your heart. Releasing your hands and feeling your feet.

Slowly opening your eyes.

Practice these techniques long before the action so become second nature and readily available when you need them in times of stress.