Body Scan Meditation

Body Scan Meditation

Henry Moore's King and Queen, 1952–53

King and Queen by Henry Moore (English, 1898–1986) is one of the first sculptures that greets you as you enter the Museum's Sculpture Garden. Moore developed the idea for King and Queen as he was manipulating a piece of modeling wax. In his words, "...it began to look like a horned, Pan-like, bearded head. Then it grew a crown and I recognised it immediately as the head of a king. I continued, and gave it a body. When wax hardens, it is almost as strong as metal. I used this special strength to repeat in the body the aristocratic refinement I found in the head. Then I added a second figure to it and it became a ‘King and Queen’."

Take a moment to consider the regal pose of King and Queen and ground yourself with a body scan meditation.

  • Sit comfortably in a chair with a tall spine, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
  • Notice the sensations of your feet touching ground—he weight, the pressure.
  • Notice the feeling of your legs against the chair that supports you—the heaviness, the lightness.
  • Bring awareness to your stomach and notice its rise and fall with each breath.
  • Notice the sensations in your hands as they rest where they are.
  • Bring awareness to your arms, your shoulders, and with any tension you feel, breathe into it and relax.
  • Notice your neck, relax your jaw, your facial muscles and soften.
  • Now, take a moment to bring awareness to your whole body in the present moment from the tips of your toes to the crown of your head.
  • Take a deep breath in through your nose and exhale out through your mouth.

*As an extension to this meditation, pair this with a Grounding or Mountain meditation.