Tools for Reflecting & Building from the Inside Out

We are already halfway through January and the freeze has rolled in. With subzero temps, I can feel my body contract and the natural tendency to go within. This reflection time can bring difficult things to the surface when rebuilding while handling daily necessary responsibilities.

In my own practice, I have found my Somatic practices offer a profound experience of healing, integration and the capacity to move forward with clarity and freedom.

As I ponder my life, I am aware of old stories that are not worthy of keeping alive yet they are rearing their head to show me a place that needs attention. They were created out of experiences of hurt, confusion and where I judged myself and have at times felt inept....in particular when I first became a Mom at the young age of 25. Truly, how did we do it?

In this newsletter, I am offering a simple somatic tool for reflection and healing those old stories through awareness, compassion and acceptance...rather than judgement and shame.

About Somatic Embodiment Integration

Embracing the somatic approach is not just a routine; it's a daily way of life. Much like expressing love through daily acts, your entire embodiment process harmonizes as you become more attuned to somatic sensations.

In this journey, every experience is a part of the process – even our judgments play a role, becoming intrinsic rather than disruptive. Our attention often dwells in our minds, constructing our identity with stories, doubts, beliefs, disconnection and questions.

Strengthening bodily awareness helps strike a balance, allowing us to connect more with our bodies and the signals they communicate about the world around us. This shift enables us to respond authentically, bypassing our learned defense mechanisms.

Through a daily somatic embodiment practice, we can rediscover and integrate our life experiences with awareness, compassion, and loving presence. Yes, even those challenging feelings that might seem overwhelming. By meeting these emotions with awareness and breath, the storm may rage, but it won't consume us.

Somatic Embodiment Integration Tool

Let's Begin. This is a 2 part exercise. 

Part 1

1. Enter a quiet space, free of distractions. Find yourself in a comfortable position, either seated or lying down. 

Let's first consider....What is our natural state? A state of loving presence that is felt throughout our body. 

Think about holding a baby bird with a tender touch in the palm of your hand or a puppy snuggled up with its mom or the precious experience of holding your baby as you gaze into their eyes. 

What inspires a sense of loving presence in you? What image, sound, sensation arises? 

2. Close your eyes, and take some long, slow breaths through your nose.

3. Place a hand on your heart and one on your belly....As you breathe deeply and hold this place of loving presence.

Part 2

1. As you hold this sense of loving presence, I would like you to settle again into your body awareness and your breath. Taking long deep breaths.

2. Now bring your attention into just the sensations in your body. This could be a discomfort, tension, a gripping, pain, etc.

3. Which sensation is the loudest? The one that calls your attention.

4. As you breathe deeply into the sensation, you can have a conversation with it. Ask what do you need? Is it a movement? Does it have a sound? Or does it just want to be still?

This is a time to listen and breathe and not try to figure it out with the mind.

5. The thinking mind wants to "know" and label but that will just get in the way of the flow of sensations. To create a safe space to allow the sensations to reveal themselves and "unwind", all you need is the breath and your loving presence. 

6. Now just listen, breathe and allow your body the space to feel as the sensations have the space to move through. 

7. You can continue with this process for as long as you have time for. The best place to stop is when you have a sense of feeling more settled.

8. Repeat daily

Love to hear how it was for you.

 Feel free to contact me and schedule a complimentary session to share or discover more