The practice of returning to one's inner balance and core stability, especially during times of stress or emotional turbulence. It involves finding and reconnecting with a sense of groundedness and authentic self.
From Latin 'centrum' (center) plus the suffix '-ing' (action/process). While 'center' has ancient roots, the psychological use of 'centering' as a practice emerged in the 1960s-70s through humanistic psychology and body-based therapies that emphasized finding one's authentic core.
Centering is like having an internal compass that always points toward your true north - no matter how chaotic the external storm, you can always find your way back to that steady, grounded place within yourself. Athletes call it 'being in the zone,' while therapists might call it 'returning to your wise self,' but they're all pointing to the same profound human capacity to find stability within movement.
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