What is happening right now is traumatic. More than stress, this is trauma. Trauma is an undigested, unprocessed, unrelenting replay in our BODY of anything we encountered. It won’t “go away”, it cannot “heal”, it does not stop playing out in our BODY, even if we have forgotten it, avoid and deny it, until we provide a path for it to move out through. It needs a way through.
We don’t “heal” trauma. We need to INTEGRATE it, it is already in us, blocking our ability to live joyfully, curiously and calmly. Healing is integration, full digestion and elimination of the residue and waste. Every moment that my nervous system is hijacked by emotions is separating me from my innate joy, sense of well being and inner calm.
When the news keeps coming, we need a way through. I felt like the last few weeks left tread marks on my back and..I explored these practices more deeply. They helped me so much. Here they are for you, we can do this, we can persevere. Here is a Way Thorough,
Slow Down, it may feel urgent right now to DO something, pause and refocus on your inner environment, you will have more clarity and focus when things calm down inside
Elevate Your Consciousness, meditate, be in nature, remember humanity has been through a lot for thousands of years, do not get distracted by the drama, focus on where you can direct your precious energy, resources and time.
Eat right, Sleep right and Play, meaning dial down the pull towards sugar, caffeine, alcohol, drugs and junk food. Go to bed, turn off the screens and read a book or meditate with candlelight. Play with animals and friends.
Be Kind, Be Firm, Be Curious, grow your own depth of kindness, which is not being a doormat, grow your boundaries, which is not building a wall around your heart, and be curious which is to be in parasympathetic nervous system mode.
Try this: Turn your head left then right SLOWLY. NOTICE where it is tight, the degree of turn. Now, Sit or lie down, interlace your fingers behind your head and hold it still facing forward without turning. . Gently hold it steady and straight. LOOK hard right, HOLD 30 seconds. Relax. LOOK hard left, HOLD 30 seconds. Relax. Breathe deeply. Now, turn your head again, notice what you feel. Here is Sukie showing your the way
And this: Body Tapping: Stand, sitting or lying down, gently but with clear touch, begin to pat your body, arms, legs, torso, and say to yourself: “This is MY body, This is MY body.” Tap all over, find your way back inside of your body, come back home. True, we have lost a massive degree of body sovereignty, I know. And for now, body tapping can help us refocus, reorient and be present.
And: Ear Massage: Sitting, standing, take your pinky finger and gently place it in that ridge of your ear fold inside, follow the top curl over of the ear and move your finger towards your face in that fold and feel that little spot where your finger fits perfectly. Right there above the ear canal, softly massage little circles with long deep breaths. You may notice a yawn, sigh or feeing of relaxation come over you. You can also insert your finger into the ear canal and gently press towards your face and then back of head and make circles. Then finish with softly stroking the skin behind the entire ear upwards, then downwards then towards the back of your head. All softly, just stroking the skin. Relax and notice how you feel. Could not have said it better myself!!!!
Turn off Social media, the News, toxic interactions, just turn it off, it will all be there when we return. But…OUR perspective may have shifted.
I hope these help, they have really helped me, they are all Vagal Toning exercises, helping to RESET our relationship to our experiences. When I feel helpless, hopeless and overwhelmed, I have been remembering how I can refocus on my nervous system to change my way of relating inwards and thus outwards. This is how I can use my energy to its’ highest good. Exercising our Vagus Nerve restores inner blance and this is EVERYTHING! Be well sweet ones.
Hey!!! I changed a class time, starting this week! Donation Based, Zoom Link
Wednesdays 5:00 pm - 6:15pm Pacific Time
Yin and Restorative with Yoga Nidra
This is a moment, in the billions of moments, take a step outside of the urgency. Breath, we will find our way through, for the highest and greatest good. We will.
Much love, holding you,
Denise