Holding yourself lightly is a phrase I use here at Bodlondeb and to look at what it means, it may help to look at the opposite - holding yourself tightly.
We squeeze as humans. We clench, grip, hold. Our eyebrows, jaw, shoulders, bum, thighs, calves. If we're squeezing, we're not breathing properly.
And it's really bloody bad for us - you are stressing! We are holding stress in our bodies. We are therefore repeatedly sending signals through our system that we are not safe therefore our bodies are working hard to survive.
It's like the smoke or burglar alarm going off constantly in your home. Living in that noise for a few minutes is bad enough but day in, day out eventually something in you is going to crack.
The way we are living may seem "normal" but it isn't. Our body has not evolved to endure the speed and demands we put on it.
Stress is killing us...
Stress(ing) is connected with over 90% of doctor and hospital visits. The little stuff like headaches through to the big stuff such as cancer and cardiac arrests.
It's time we did things differently.
Why would you hold yourself lightly?
Holding yourself lightly is simply about carrying less tension in your body because it may well save your life!
If that isn't a good enough reason consider:
⭐ It'll enhance your relationship with yourself and others - more kindness, compassion, and lightness.
⭐ It'll mean you let go of grudges.
⭐ It gives space to forgiveness.
⭐ Your thoughts and memory will improve.
⭐ You'll become more rational and clear-thinking.
⭐ It gives space to healing chronic pain (your muscles, your bones, your emotions).
⭐ Stronger immune system so you're getting ill less often
⭐ Healthier heart, blood pressure and digestive system
⭐ Ease depression and anxiety
⭐ Sleep quicker and deeper with fewer disturbances
⭐ Move away from burnout
⭐ The strength and capacity to work in difficult situations
⭐ More balanced hormones
⭐ Easier journey through menopause and ageing
⭐Creation of happier memories
⭐More opportunities will appear
= a greater enjoyment of life...
How would you hold yourself lightly?
It's simple - spend more time with your body.
The tension we hold is there for a reason, perhaps fear of physical and emotional pain, holding back, swallowing down feelings of frustration, sadness, rage, fear and many more.
And holding our bodies how we think we're supposed to rather than how we need them.
Learning how to hold yourself lightly is allowing a little bit of space into that grip. It's noticing when your jaw is clenched or your belly is pulled in or your body is in a fixed position and letting it move. Breathing a little slower and a little deeper as often as you can remember.
Learn to speak when you're normally quiet - allow yourself to be heard - your voice matters too.
Move differently: do you normally walk to work or run with your head down, just getting from A to B, headphones in? What does it feel like to take out the headphones, lift your heart, see people, and the world, smile, and bring some space into your chest and your heart?
Put your feelings about meditation and how it "should" be to one side and listen to something guided.
Begin to pay attention to the feelings and emotions (energy in motion) that you are and aren't ok with. What do you shut down? What do you need to do or where do you need to go so you can let them move how they're supposed to?
This is a good tool to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRWtytSjKZs
Bring some balance into your autonomic nervous system by remembering how to breathe in balance sometimes: same in, same out - 5 or 6 ideally. It's a powerful tool to bring your body into coherence and optimal functioning (homeostasis).
Remember...
Allow yourself to be creative with no attachment to the results: doodle, colour, tinkle on the piano, write a song, grab your children's crayons, dance, sing in the shower, paint the wall
We are moving too fast, going everywhere and nowhere.
It is time to slow down.
Steph x
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