How Therapeutic Movement Practices Can Help Us Show-up Ready
Are you aware of how you ‘show up’ most days? If we do not arrive ready for our children (loved ones) when difficult or big emotions show up at the door, they will seek another place to deal with them or numb themselves. If they choose a healthy outlet of talking with a trusted friend, going for a run, or journal writing— that is wonderful! However, when they stand at the door alone and it becomes too much for them, they may turn to drugs, scrolling, shopping, risky behavior, compulsive eating, or excessive exercising. When any behavior is repeated, the outlet of choice easily creates a habit path, for better or for worse. Since every behavior gets easier each time, repetition leads to deeper grooves from the use. Repetition can lead to one getting caught in the ditches and in turn becoming stuck in an unhealthy story and/or becoming unwell.
If we are available to show up for our loved ones (you can insert yourself here) when they (we) are expressive, they (we) avoid at least one time of self-medicating or self-numbing. Consistently being present for someone can lead to a deeper sense safety in expressing oneself. Emotions are meant to be felt, to be moved.
If this is difficult for you, you may need to learn to be with the discomfort that arises in the emoting experience. A good, first step is to notice the discomfort. You can practice by noticing sensations and being more present in the moment. Take time to really notice how it feels when you are near someone who is crying, expressing, or when their breathing becomes erratic. Can you explore the possibility that you don’t want to be at that door or opening of emotion because you do not want to experience a similar emotion or any emotion at all? Can you practice being curious? Notice what it feels like to be curious about anything that comes from the emotional experience on your end or theirs. Can you ask questions when someone seems emotional? Can you honor the moment for yourself when you feel something arrive at the door of your heart or your mind when someone in your presence is emotional. By honoring your own responses, you can, in turn, be more present for someone who needs emotional support.
The waves of emotion will come and go through the process for each person sharing the space around the emotional experience. The very meaning of emotion is rooted in “emovere’ meaning to move out or move through. All of this applies to the emotions that we often think of as ‘positive’ such as elation, joy, or silliness. The other, more happy side can also elicit an unfavorable response or reaction too. Have you ever told someone or been told to ‘cool down’ or ‘be quiet’ at a time when you are exuberant?
Do you feel ready to make a move closer to being more prepared to show up at a door that is rattling, heavy, rusty or crusty? A heavy door often needs a trusted tribe to be with the heaviness, hardship, or even unexpectant joy. In each Therapeutic Movement class, we practice pausing to learn how to become more aware. The natural pauses we practice helps us to be ‘moment aware’ and more ‘body aware’. Through practice, we can discover the necessary next steps to move closer toward wellness, resolution, peace, or any personal intention. Those next steps could be through motion or play or through stillness or rest. Let’s call this practicing to arrive ready for any moment with both maturity and lightheartedness. Your readiness will ensure more steadiness in body, mind, breath, spirit, and in your relationships.
On a personal note, I notice my readiness gives me more steadiness. I (re)learned this during the week I was writing this blog. I took notice of and reflected on my physical balance/stance. I had a more unsteady emotional week, and it showed up in my work out and during my ‘work in’ -- my therapeutic movement practice. If I would not have paused to take notice, I likely would have returned to old, less-than-optimal patterns and habits. I’m course-correcting because I have a choice in my well-being. We all have a choice. A great start is taking a class. Every Therapeutic Movement class opens the door to learning ways to move well, emote well, and be well for yourself and, in turn, for your loved ones.
Get ready, get set, practice!