Centering has its roots in the ancient Japanese martial art Aikido, where it is often translated as “harmonious spirit” – the Zen Buddhist technique to unify a calm mind, open heart and harmonize energies while taking skillful action. 

Modern somatic practices of Centering bring attention to one thing at a time to limit mental distractions, bring physical balance, and gathers oneself around an “organizing principle.” This technique not only helps to minimize overwhelm and uneasiness but also acts to clear the slate of any external factors governing one’s emotions and to take skillful action from a more organized neutral place suspended in the present moment. 

This is a foundational mindfulness practice that can be done daily, or even quickly within 5 seconds throughout the day, to ‘reset.’ It’s particularly useful when we are in states of anxiety, stress and overwhelm — in doubt about what to rely on to move forward with conviction. Instead, stop, relax, breathe, center, and move forward from a different orientation that can now confront the stress from a place of reinforcement.