Cuddle with Claire III

Transcript

Good evening, my lovely friend. I am so happy to have more time with you. I have loved watching you grow as a person and a friend.

You are so mindful, caring, and gracious to everyone around you. Well, after this long week, I think it's time for some of our favorite R&R and R&R. Rest, relaxation, rejuvenation, and renewal.

Let's get away from here today. Somewhere far, far away. What do you think? Have you thought about going to Japan? Let's transport our minds across the world to the intoxicatingly beautiful Kyoto.

I love traveling with you, seeing you in all these different lights, the sounds and sights of a new place, your eyes lit up. I am so lucky to be in your presence. We are so lucky to be here together.

Are you ready to join me? First, let's get comfortable. Stretch out and begin to relax your body by releasing any areas that may be holding tension.

Neck, jaw, shoulders. Your body deserves this break. You work so hard and do so much for those around you.

Let your body sink in. Allow your arms to feel heavy, then your legs. Loose and relaxed, let's move to your back and your spine.

Feel your body sinking into the bed, releasing any hold of your muscles all the way from the top of your head, down your neck, along each vertebrae, slowly, deeply, heavily. Bring one hand onto your heart and place your other hand on top of it. Take a deep breath into your diaphragm, noticing how your chest and belly move, drawing air into your lungs, then releasing the air.

Breathe in again, slowly. Breathe out. In.

Out. In. Out.

One more breath in. And let it out. It is a quiet and beautiful sound, isn't it? In.

Out. Become more and more relaxed with each breath. Feel a wave of relaxation coming up around your feet, rolling over your ankles, legs, stomach, chest, and up over your head, down your back, your neck, arms, the backs of your legs.

Allow your body to relax deeply and heavily. Let's begin to immerse ourselves. We are driving on a windy road toward our destination, just outside of Kyoto.

Our trip so far has been a dream, full of amazing food, beautiful sights, and new, stimulating sounds. Different languages have filled our minds, art and design like we've never seen before. Today, I'm taking you to a very special place.

To Hanekata, at the edge of the city, just into the mountains. The road is lined with gorgeous, tall trees, still losing their leaves, in their final stages of fall as we head into December. The first snow is expected tonight, and the chill in the air is crisp and refreshing.

Your cheeks are bright pink with happiness and satisfaction. As we climb up the mountain, we are able to see the city from the car window. It is so special to be above the city like this, and we can see for miles.

We drive higher, into the clouds, the road empty, just us and nature. You start to nod off in the car as I play soft music. After a while, you look around, and we arrive at the hot spring.

We bundle up and head inside. After getting changed, we make our way to the private baths. They are totally secluded and oh so inviting.

As predicted, snow starts to fall, dusting our hair and eyelashes. We hang up our robes and make our way to the edge of the bath. We sink into the hot water, steam rising across the pools, the darkening skies spotted with stars.

As the snow falls, it melts as it softly lands on the water. Little specks of snow land upon your nose. We giggle as they stand for a moment on our skin, before vanishing into tiny droplets.

Once comfortable, we both begin to deeply relax. Remembering to take deep breaths, our bodies find each other under the water, and we embrace, closing our eyes and relaxing against each other. I run my hands up and down your arms, massaging your shoulders and neck, gently, relaxing in the hot water.

We keep our eyes closed, enjoying the steam cleansing our faces. We float slowly, rocking back and forth in the slight current from the heat underwater. The snow begins to stick on the surrounding trees, illuminated by the moon rising over the horizon.

This is true comfort and true warmth. Your whole body feels warm from your heart out. You are radiating beauty and satisfaction.

I love seeing you so relaxed. We lean against the rock edge of the bath. The cool stones against our necks feel so good.

An owl makes itself known in the distance, but it feels like we are the only ones for miles. The nearby sauna beckons us, and we step out of the pools, our bodies steaming in the cold air. We make our way to the sauna and enter inside.

The dry heat is a welcome change to our dripping bodies. The smell of the cedar bark toasting in the high temperatures, swirls with the intense heat as we lie on wooden benches, closing our eyes together. We hold hands as the waves of heat come up from the floor and wash over us, pushing our senses.

I am so grateful we have this special time together. This is one of my favorite places to return to. Thank you for experiencing this with me.

When you are ready to return from this beautiful place, do so slowly and gently. And remember, it's never far away. 3.

Becoming Aware of Your Hands and Feet Become aware of your hands and feet, still warm from the sauna and the baths, and move your fingers and toes around. Keep with you the feeling of calm, of serenity. Move your arms and your legs, bringing back your alertness and awareness of your surroundings, refreshed and renewed, we open our eyes to the world around us.

Thank you.