Simultaneous waves of heat and urgency
Tingly uneasiness in the chest
Clouded racing thoughts circle each other
Some of us have been taught these are problems to fix, numb, or push away
How do you hold & relate to pain?
Is it bad?
Something to avoid?
Be afraid of?
In order to feel through the inevitable and wise waves we must allow ourselves to feel.
Okay yea yea, feel your feelings… got it
Sounds simple
Holds profound depth
AND we’ve been strategically disconnected from our body wisdom (the colonizer taught, “the body is dirty and not to be trusted”, among other atrociously evil, ignorant, hateful beliefs and practices)
Anyyywayyyy,
Here’s what makes this different from just “feel your feelings”: we’re not just feeling – we’re repairing our relationship to what & how we feel.
Instead of “I’m anxious and that’s bad,” or “I’m anxious and need fixing”, we practice: “Anxiety is here, and that’s okay”, “Anxiety is here, and I can be with it.”
That shift? That’s where alchemy happens.
Somatic repair is how we reclaim what was taken.
Not just feeling our feelings, but relating to them differently.
Offering the unconditional presence we were denied.
“We hurt as a call to love.” — Thích Nhất Hạnh
What if pain isn’t the enemy, but the messenger?
When the wave rises, can you meet it with curiosity instead of fear?
With breath instead of bracing?
A note: The practices below involve turning toward sensations in the body. If you’re navigating acute trauma, dissociation, or this feels too activating, please honor that. You can also try this with a trusted friend nearby, or save it for when you feel more resourced. There’s no wrong way to care for yourself.
Here is a short 4 minute audio – a heart-centered somatic practice where I’ll guide you through gentle breathwork and body awareness, helping you meet what’s present with compassion.
This audio is part of a larger free resource – 8 somatic practices to return to center.
The flow of somatic alchemy:
Find your breath – notice what’s actually here
Offer acceptance – this feeling is welcome, it’s information
Let it move – shake, cry, dance, sound, stillness – whatever wants to come through
Integrate – reflect, thank your body, rest in what shifted
For me, tapping into my body’s wisdom feels like an ancestral remembering. Maybe it will for you too. Or maybe it’ll just feel like relief. Either way, you’re welcome in this practice.
Other potent practices to explore: moving how your lineage, nature, authentic self moves.
One body finding refuge ripples outward.
Healed people, heal people.
Thank you for showing up.
For feeling.
For remembering.
Love,
Dahlia
