Part 2: Dedicated to Friends of the Body

Have you ever started a small project, that grew into a bigger project, and after a while it seemed like the project became your life?

That’s how energy or body work started for me, with a hoped for quick fix for anxiety morphing into a seven year quest to my soul.

To be clear, that was not my intent. I remember that I specifically told Tracy, “I’ve done lots of therapy. I want a few relaxation techniques for when things are especially bad. I’ve examined my insides enough and there are no more secrets or layers to be discovered.”

Hah!

Well, mine is not the first quest to begin with a loud no. It continues with a quiet, willful yes, and with repeated practice to honor the moment, listen to what is real, and open to life.

Practice 1: This Moment

Sit comfortably.

Know that in life, there is only inhaling and exhaling. Inhale the next moment, exhale the past. Inhale the next moment, exhale the past.

Imagine inhaling the next moment through your front body and exhaling the past through your back body. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat.

Now reverse. Inhale the next moment through your back body and exhale the past through your front body.

This is life. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale the new, exhale the old. Inhale. Exhale.

Practice 2: Listening to Your Heart

Lie down on your back on the floor (or couch or bed.) Take several deep breaths. Ask your heart how it’s doing. Listen to the response, which won’t be verbal. The brain is verbal. The heart is present knowledge. Mine yells and gives bear hugs. It sings and chucks furniture out the window.

Listen and respond accordingly.

Practice 3: Unfurling

Stand with your feet and knees together. Wrap your arms around your body. Lower your head so your chin almost touches your chest.

Slowly unfurl. Whisper, “I am created for openness.” Slowly raise your head. Slowly unwind your arms. Slowly move one foot a step to the side. Continue unfurling as slowly as you can.

If you get to a place where you feel uncomfortably exposed, just notice and pause. Breathe deeply through your mouth. You can continue to open or stop, whichever makes sense.

Continue unfurling to openness. Plant your feet widely. Open your arms. Lift your head. Here. You. Are.

Peace.