Once or twice a day

it is helpful to

lie down on the floor,

stretching 

with awareness

and paying attention

to the places

that are tight,

needing more oxygen.

Breathe

into those areas

to release

the tension.

When you

stop

and pay attention

this way,

you will find

that your body

feels

different

each time.

Therefore,

each time

that  you stretch,

ask yourself,

am I centered

in my body

now?

When I let

too much time

between

following

this advice,

my awareness

of my body

changes,

sometimes

very much so.

The contrast

reminds me

to be

more diligent

in my practice

of stretching,

breathing,

and centering.