Let's HALT

I know you are here reading this newsletter because a dose of some sensibleness in your inbox would be a reprieve from all the things you'd actually like to HALT in the world- the injustice, the fear, the economic insecurity, the cruelty. 

I see you and hear you. While you and I can’t halt it all, I’m offering this week the HALT technique to give you a small moment of reprieve. Join me below for a taste of the practice.

Years ago when I was a public school teacher, afterschool I would sit in a chair meant for a second grader huddled around a large COSTCO size pretzel tub. I’d devour pretzels, as I tried to organize the madness that was life as a teacher.

I’d crunch through the pretzels, but the endless piles of work and worries would continue to sit there. 

About a year and half later, I was listening to a dear friend, Alison Cohen (check out her work here) as she taught at a retreat I was hosting. Alison introduced the HALT technique.

Am I… 

H: HUNGRY?

A: ANXIOUS? 

L: LONELY?

T: TIRED? 

It’s a tiny meditation practice to recognize am I feeling one of these things? 

Am I hungry, anxious, lonely or tired? 

And if so, attend to your heart through that specific portal. 

Somewhere along my journey as a human, I thought that I could deal with my anxiety through a snack. Or deal with exhaustion with food. Or feel less lonely by eating. This HALT practice became quite transformative because I could attune to my state of being with what my body and soul actually needed. 

Think about it, if you are anxious, eating another bar and cycling for another 20 miles isn’t going to help. Perhaps what really would help is to pause and kindly befriend your anxious heart with some love. 

3 minute HALT practice

Dear one, halt, stop whatever you are doing.

Imagine you are metaphorically in the saddle of your bike and you take your feet off the pedals.

Wherever you are biking towards or away from can stop for a moment.

Your toes reach the ground and you gently push your brakes and dismount your bike.

As you step onto the side of the ride, you notice the trees and creek around you and you put your hand on your heart.

Feel the air entering your lungs then feel the exhale. Take four breaths.

Ask yourself, Am I hungry? Am I anxious? Am I lonely? Am I tired? 

And just notice, hand on your heart what arises. Take another deep breath and thank your wise body for halting. 

Whatever that insight is, give yourself the gift of honoring your body.

In those days of when I was a teacher, I thought a little more food would help me grind through it all, but in fact, usually I was somewhere between anxious and tired. And my anxiety and exhaustion really needed to be attended to. I wish in that time I was teacher, I had this practice of HALT. While I can’t turn back the wheels of time, I share this as a small, loving offering for you.

I hope this HALT technique provides a soft balm for your heart, body and soul. 

Wheels up, 

Ellen