In today’s Mello adventure, we imagine what it feels like to be a sunflower turning toward the sun. With each breath, you’ll practice opening yourself up to calm and beauty, just like a flower blooming in the light. Together we’ll stretch tall, root ourselves deep, and fill our hearts with sunshine. By the end, you’ll be glowing like a field of golden petals swaying in the breeze.

Sunflowers Opening Yourself Up Welcome back to Mello. Today we’re going to imagine something bright: what it feels like to be a sunflower turning its face to the sun. We’re going to learn how to use our breath to appreciate moments of calm and beauty. “Do sunflowers really follow the sun?” Let’s start by getting our wiggles out. Go ahead and wiggle. That’s right–your toes and arms, your fingers and legs. Wiggle them up and down and all around. Now settle those wiggles into a comfortable spot. Take a deep breath in, feeling your body fill with calm.… breathe out, as you exhale whisper to yourself, ‘I am safe.’ Inhale again… and feel love fill your body. Whisper, ‘I am loved.’ With one more deep breath, your imagination is ready. So let’s begin our adventure… Imagine you’re standing in a giant field of sunflowers. Everywhere you look, tall golden petals are swaying in the breeze, like the whole field is dancing together. You hear the soft rustle of the leaves, almost like the flowers are whispering secrets to each other. Above you is the bluest sky you’ve ever seen, so big and bright it makes you want to lift your chin and gaze up. Stand tall now, with your feet planted on the ground, just like roots digging deep into the dirt. Let your arms hang down by your sides, palms open, as if you’re catching sunlight in your hands. Slowly lift your chin toward the sky, and close your eyes. Feel the sun resting gently on your face. Let’s breathe like sunflowers turning to the sun. Inhale through your nose, stretch your chest wide, like your body is blooming open. Pause for a moment, soaking in the sunshine. Exhale through your mouth with a big, happy sigh letting yourself feel heavy and steady, like strong roots in the earth. Let’s do it again. Each breath makes you turn a little closer to the sun, each sigh makes your roots grow deeper. In…and out In…and out Now pause. Can you feel it? The sunshine is warming your whole body. It tickles your forehead, your cheeks, and your nose. It slides down into your chest, filling your heart with a golden glow. It runs all the way into your arms, your hands, and even the tips of your fingers. like you’re shining beams of light. It fills up your belly and your legs. Finally, it warms your feet, grounding you deep into the earth. Your whole body is glowing now, just like the sunflowers swaying around you. As you breathe in and out, imagine the flowers whispering little reminders to you: I am strong like the roots. I open wide to the light. I shine bright. Bring your hands together at your heart. Take one more big sunflower breath in. Fill yourself with sunlight. And breathe it out (ahhh) sending that sunshine into your whole day.