Trusting the universe involves surrendering to the flow of life, relinquishing the need for control, and embracing the unknown. This concept can evoke both peace and fear, challenging us with internal battles and societal conditioning. Yet, there’s a pathway to inner peace through building a safe internal space, utilizing tools like breathwork and inner child work, to listen more deeply to our body’s wisdom without overwhelming the nervous system.
Many of us have been taught to ignore our body's signals and intuition, but practices such as meditation and breathwork can help us rebuild self-awareness. Spending time in nature further enhances this connection, allowing us to shed mental chatter and sharpen our sensory inputs. These experiences heighten our intuition, enabling us to better trust and follow our inner guidance.
Embracing spontaneity and recognizing synchronicities are essential steps to truly surrendering to the universe. Even small actions like exploring new routes can act as stepping stones to deeper trust. Integrating gratitude and forgiveness into daily routines clears emotional blockages, aligning us with our true selves and enhancing our ability to surrender. This journey isn’t about leaps of blind faith but rather fostering a deep trust in our inner compass.
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When we move intuitively, we allow our bodies to guide us toward healing
Have you ever yearned for a movement experience that unleashes your spirit and unlocks your inner authenticity? Look no further than ecstatic dance. It's a freeform dance practice where joy and self-discovery take center stage through uninhibited movement. There are no pre-defined steps, no pressure to perform, just you and the music. This practice comes with a surprising range of benefits, from stress reduction and mood elevation to deeper self-connection and heightened confidence.
A Hawaiian retreat in the hippie haven of Pahoa first sparked my curiosity about ecstatic dance. The word ecstatic caught my ear. It brought visions of swirling freedom and joyfulness. So, when I saw that a dance would be held just 10 minutes from home, I was in. I had no idea what to expect or anyone to tag along with, but I figured, why not!
The venue surprised me. Instead of a pulsating club filled with 20-somethings, it was a dance studio. The atmosphere, however, was anything but ordinary. I was surprised at the variety in age, race, shape, and size. But all united by a shared desire for uninhibited expression.
The session began with a "Wu Wei" practice, a flowing and almost meditative warm-up to promote ease of movement. We swayed gently, mimicking the motions of the wind and the earth, feeling the ground beneath our bare feet. This led to partner exercises, where I discovered how touch and movement can reveal aspects of another person beyond words. One encounter stands out: a man leaning heavily against me, the weight of his neediness unmistakable. Instead of reacting negatively, I channeled silent healing love energy towards him – a beautiful exchange that left me with positive energy for the evening.
As the DJ took over, the music transitioned to a slow and sultry tempo. I surrendered to the rhythm, my body swaying and my arms flowing to the beat. It was in this movement that the societal expectations I carried, the labels placed upon me, began to surface. With every move, I shed those constraints, my body shaking with a sense of release. Anger welled up, laced with shame and regret, as memories stored deep within my body arose. A body that has been treated as an object, used to please men, to appease, and manipulated to earn love. I released the anger with instinctive guttural sounds, experiencing a profound sense of freedom and openness.
This dance also awakened a deep love for the generations of women who came before me, their dreams and aspirations squashed down by societal rules and expectations. I imagined my love flowing back through time as a beautiful glowing purple light, with that love I also shared the message that I would dance freely for them. A fire ignited within me, I will live my life by my rules, dismissing societal rules imposed on women to control and keep our sexuality locked away. No more will every part of my body be sexualized according to the opinions of men. No more will I let media of any type tell me that I’m not enough, I need this mascara, hair like an airbrushed model, or to wear this or that brand of clothing. I will do everything I can to be the person I was born to be rather than the person that society wants me to be.
As I went through this liberating healing process, several men approached me, I quickly closed my eyes to make it clear I was there for solo healing. There was one man who I found intriguing though. One of the most beautiful men I’ve ever seen. Native American, the most beautiful brown eyes with long eyelashes, high cheekbones, beautiful black silky hair that fell down his back, and the most luscious lips that every woman would be envious of. His eyes caught mine multiple times, and each time I couldn’t help but smile. So, when he approached me, I smiled invitingly. As he danced in front of me, I quickly realized he was no longer wearing pants. He was wearing leopard print briefs and had a large erection within the briefs. I’m all for body freedom and wearing what feels good for you, but this now felt a bit awkward. To his credit, he wasn't aggressive, just a tad happy to see me. He felt the shift in my energy, so we shared a hug (with strategic pelvic placement!), and he gracefully moved on.
Despite the brief awkwardness, the night was transformative. The sheer variety of participants and their uninhibited self-expression were truly inspiring. Sure, the leopard print was a surprise, but hey, erections are a natural part of life, right? Maybe even they deserve a space on the dance floor (as long as they remain appropriately controlled and contained!).
This ecstatic dance exploration was a journey of self-discovery. And I'm already eagerly anticipating my next adventure tomorrow night. Who knows what awaits: deeper healing, deeper self-understanding or maybe another interesting encounter? Only one way to find out!
I hope my experience with ecstatic dance inspires you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new! I’d love to hear about your experience with ecstatic dance or using movement for healing. Or a time you tried something new and had an amazing experience or a not-so-amazing experience. Please share in the comments.
Have you ever felt like no matter what you do, you just can't measure up? Like the constant allure of the "perfect" beauty image we're bombarded with, from Sephora's endless aisles to societal pressures, can leave you feeling empty inside. I spent years and thousands of dollars chasing that illusion – perfect makeup, perfect hair, the "perfect" body – only to find myself feeling worse. It's a trap, this endless pursuit of external validation through appearance, and it can steal your joy and self-worth.
The turning point for me was investing in myself. Through coaching, self-help programs, and surrounding myself with supportive women, I built a foundation of self-love and acceptance. This inner transformation wasn't just about feeling better about myself; it unlocked a radiant beauty that no amount of money could buy. It's the beauty that comes from truly knowing and loving yourself, flaws and all.
The journey inspired the creation of "BLOOM: Your Self-Love Journey," a program dedicated to guiding others toward self-love and acceptance. The writer warmly invites others to join this transformative path, offering support and community through programs and retreats designed to foster self-esteem, joy, and lasting inner beauty. It's a call to action for anyone ready to break free from the cycle of seeking external validation and discover the profound joy and fulfillment that comes from loving and accepting oneself fully.
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Loneliness is a feeling all too familiar to many, characterized by a deep sense of isolation and self-doubt, even when surrounded by others. The journey from this loneliness to rediscovering one's true self can be daunting, yet profoundly transformative. Discovering and utilizing tools such as breathwork can initiate a journey of self-healing, allowing one to navigate through layers of trauma and societal pressures towards a place of genuine self-acceptance and peace.
Breathwork is not merely a practice of deep breathing but a profound method to engage with your inner self, presenting a pathway to reduce stress, enhance self-awareness, and cultivate a positive self-image. Through techniques that promote relaxation and connection, individuals can confront and release limiting beliefs, fostering an environment of self-compassion and empowerment. The benefits extend beyond temporary relief, offering insights into one's desires and needs, thereby encouraging a harmonious life filled with self-love and understanding.
If you find yourself grappling with loneliness and seeking a transformational shift towards self-love, exploring the power of breathwork might be the beginning of a new chapter. This practice offers not only a method to cope with immediate feelings of distress but also acts as a cornerstone for long-term wellness and self-discovery. An upcoming FREE online event on May 9th provides a unique opportunity to experience the synergistic effects of breathwork, meditation, Reiki, and EFT, guiding participants towards embracing their authentic selves and unlocking an inner reservoir of strength and resilience.
Read more...Feeling disconnected from oneself is a common predicament, especially for those navigating the relentless demands of daily life and past traumas. This blog post delves into the transformative journey of a single mom who found solace and self-love through the practice of somatic healing. Through mindfulness and body awareness exercises like yoga, grounding, and breathwork, she discovered how to listen to her body's subtle signals and began the process of healing and self-acceptance.
Somatic practices, such as breathwork and body scanning, serve as powerful tools for anyone struggling with emotional turmoil or seeking deeper connection with themselves. By focusing on physical sensations and the emotions they evoke, the writer shares how these practices helped her release layered traumas and embrace a journey toward self-love and healing. These techniques, accessible to all, encourage a gentle exploration of one's inner world, offering pathways to relief and transformation.
Today, as a somatic coach, the writer extends an invitation to others, especially women with similar stories of trauma and self-doubt, to explore the potential of somatic healing. Through her narrative, she highlights the potent combination of gentle movement, mindful awareness, and breathwork in nurturing self-compassion and resilience. This journey underscores the possibility of reclaiming one's voice and worth by tuning into the wisdom of the body and cultivating an enduring self-love.
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