01 - Relax and Restore: A Gentle Journey to Inner Peace

Episode 1: Relax and Restore - A Gentle Journey to Inner Peace

Welcome to the very first episode of The Kay Manby Podcast.

In this opening offering, I share a little of my story and the journey that brought me here - from deep loss to the healing power of stillness.

You’ll then be guided through a peaceful meditation designed to help you settle your body, soften your thoughts, and return to the calm that lives within you.

This is a space to rest, to breathe, and to remember that you are held. Let this be a gentle start or end to your day. Or simply a pause in the middle of it all.

You are warmly invited in.

I would be so grateful if you could buy me a coffee using THIS LINK. This helps me fund the podcast and keep it going 🙏

Transcript

Hello and welcome. My name is Kay and I'm a yoga and qigong teacher living in beautiful North Yorkshire and life for me is very full. I have a large extended and blended family and like many people I juggle a busy schedule. 

But a few years ago everything changed. After the death of my husband I found myself struggling to find any sense of peace. It was largely through meditation, yoga and qigong that I slowly began to heal. 

These practices have helped me reconnect with stillness, even in the midst of grief and chaos. Over time I shared these practices with others in gyms and village halls, online and I still do online, women's groups and with some people on probation. And what I've learned is that we're all carrying something. 

A story, a sorrow, a weight we don't always show. For me creating space to pause and breathe has made all the difference. So welcome to my very first podcast. 

I'm really glad you're here. I hope this time together offers you a moment of calm, a breath of clarity and perhaps a step closer to your own inner peace. So I'm calling this first podcast Relax and Restore. 

A Gentle Journey to Inner Peace. If there's a righteousness in the heart there will be beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character there will be harmony in the home.

If there is harmony in the home there'll be order in the nations. When there is order in the nations there will be peace in the world. And that is a quote by Confucius. 

So begin by finding a quiet space, somewhere where you can sit comfortably or lie down. It can be helpful to wrap yourself in a blanket, have a pillow, maybe pop a bolster or a rolled up blanket under your knees. And if you like to have an eye bag just pop that lightly over your eyes. 

Close your eyes. Allow your whole body to settle. Start to notice your breathing, the in and the out. 

Deep breathe in and exhale really slowly. Imagine you're drawing in clean, clear air into your lungs, into each cell. And as you exhale you're really letting go of the old and the tired and the grey.

Take a couple more breaths, just deepening your belly, feeling your belly rise. Maybe your chest rise as you inhale all the way down to your belly. And as you relax let your belly soften, let your whole body soften.

And bring your awareness to your body, feel the weight of your body, supported by the chair, the bed, the floor, whatever is beneath you. And then notice the points of contact, the places maybe where your head is on your pillow. Your shoulders are supported, your hips or your knees, your heels or your feet.

And invite your hands to rest really softly. Take a couple more deep breaths, just let the breath come in gently and go out like a soft wave returning to the sea. Breathing in and breathing out. 

With every exhale let go a little more, let your shoulders really soften, let the muscles of your face soften so your skin feels like silk. Let your mouth soften and your tongue and let your thoughts begin to drift like clouds across a blue sky. And then imagine yourself in a place of complete safety and beauty, a favourite spot perhaps. 

It could be a forest glade, a quiet beach at sunrise, a mountaintop with vast skies, a cottage garden. Let whatever place arises be the right one for you and feel the air on your skin, smell the scent of nature, perhaps pine needles, salt air, a warm earth. Hear the soothing sounds, maybe birdsong, gentle waves or the rustling of trees. 

This is a sacred place. You're alone, but never lonely. You are held in peace. 

This place exists within you, it's always here, untouched by the chaos of the world. Let yourself rest here, gently, gently. Bring to mind any outer turmoil you've been experiencing. 

It could be noise, chaos, busyness, loss, uncertainty, stress, pain, or the pressure of others' expectations. And then picture this turmoil as weather, a storm raging outside. Winds may howl, rain may lash the windows, but you, you are inside. 

And you're inside a strong, quiet sanctuary. In this place, you are still, you are safe. You can witness the storm without being swept away by it. 

You do not need to resist or control the outer storm. You only need to remain anchored in your inner space of peace. Let go of trying to control so that you can remain anchored in your inner space of peace. 

Keep observing your breath and breathing. Just have that awareness of it. Don't judge it. 

Be with it and witness it. And then move your attention to your heart. And feel free to place a gentle hand over your chest if that feels right.

Say to yourself silently, I am calm in the chaos. I am calm in the chaos. I am calm in the chaos. 

I carry peace within me. I carry peace within me. I carry peace within me.

I am grounded. I am held. I am enough. 

I am grounded. I am held. I am enough. 

With each breath, feel that peaceful strength rise from within. Let it spread through your body, down to your fingers and toes, flowing like golden light through every cell of your body. This is the peace that cannot be taken.

This is the peace that is your birthright. It is who you are beneath the noise. In a world that changes and shifts, inner peace is your compass. 

It brings clarity when things are confusing. It offers calm when everything feels urgent. It's not escape. 

It is strength. When you move from inner peace, your actions are more purposeful. Your words are kinder.

You have more compassion. And your presence becomes a sanctuary for others too. This peace is not passive. 

It is powerful. Very powerful. It is your true nature.

You can always come back to this inner sanctuary. You hold it safe within you. You can come here anytime. 

Anytime at all. No matter what is happening outside. This inner space is always open to you. 

It becomes part of your vibration. You exude it wherever you go. No matter what is happening elsewhere. 

Your peace is in your sanctuary. Within you. You carry this stillness within you. 

You are a calm lake in a windy world. You are a steady flame in a storm. Let this peace ripple outward. 

Let it take you into your day, your night, the days ahead. Let it guide how you speak. Let it guide how you respond.

And let it guide how you move. You can always carry this peace with you. Not just a moment of stillness. 

But as the foundation that you can return to again and again. Whenever you need it. Come back to your breath and breathing. 

Be aware of it. If you feel ready to return your awareness into your space. Be very gentle with yourself and take the time to wriggle fingers and toes. 

Rock from side to side and pause in a fetal position. And if it suits you when you're ready. Gently push yourself up. 

Keeping your eyes closed. Place your hands gently over your eyes. And then softly move your hands away. 

Notice how you feel. You can, if you prefer, stay exactly where you are and drift off to sleep. The Dalai Lama wrote, world peace must develop from inner peace.

Peace is not just absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion. Dalai Lama the 14th. 

If this time of calm brought you a moment of peace. I invite you to come back again soon. Follow or subscribe to stay connected.

And if you'd like, please share this with someone who might need a peaceful pause today. Feel free to join me again. Until then, be gentle with yourself.

And be kind. Thank you. Thank you for sharing this quiet space with me.

I hope it brought you a sense of peace and presence. If you feel moved to, I'd love to hear how it landed for you. Your thoughts and feedback really helped me shape future sessions with care.

You're welcome to subscribe and share this with anyone who might find it helpful. And if you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, or simply connect, I'd love to hear from you. Until we meet again, go gently. 

Thank you.