Full Body Presence
Yesterday, I discovered an essay by Suzanne Scurlock Durana, entitled 'A Guide to Full-Body-Presence' in the recent issue of Massage Magazine. What perfect timing. I've been feeling low energy, depleted, verging on depressed and unable to show up and be present, these last few days. I'd awoken this morning with that feeling of being slammed over the head by a frying pan; headachey and irritated at feeling so crummy. My roommate, Keala, reminded me to revitalize my Chi this morning, by doing breathwork, and exercising, and getting some fresh air. I didn't know how I would be able to truly come and meet the day today, so I prayed fervently, and then spent a half hour doing some basic chi cultivation movements, breathwork, and strengthening of my arms and core with weights. And then all of a sudden, I felt vitality slowly seep in.In her article, Suzanne talks about the importance of Full Body Presence to other bodywork practitioners, and the need for "a strong flow of healthy energy moving through" the body. I think this is crucial for every human being, not only for massage therapists and other alternative healer practitioners. She goes on to say:
"While left-brained intelligence that helps us understand anatomy and physiology is vital in our practices, we are all called now to more whole-body knowing. We must learn to remain present in all of our cells, trusting and living from the wisdom of our being. So don’t throw out your left-brain education; just add your gut knowing, your heart’s whisper of inspiration, and round that out with the inner vision of who you truly are."
One of the current big challenges for me is learning how to navigate, direct and process internal energy. I feel like this has become my work; my livelihood. Learning how to move energy through the body in a more conscious way is truly a process of refinement, and it requires practice and patience. For a fiery hot Leoness, like myself, I have learned that I can really burn myself out (and my joints, ligaments and nervous system) from being too intense all the time. I think that I used to believe that being 'on fire' was the form of power that allowed me to come into my fullness in the most direct way, but now I am finding that in order to live in this world in Balance, I must become more grounded, more silent, more meditative.I am trying to practice slowing down and breathing more deeply, listening to my body in every moment, even if it is a full time (unpaid) job. My body is demanding this from me, and nothing less. And in fact, learning how to tune in to the body and full body presence has become the way in which I decipher intuitive messages from the unseen. Learning how to feel, process, and CLEAR energy in my home environment, in my body, and learning to listen to the bodies of others - has become the way in which I have learned to practice skillful embodywork healing.In the book, Tantric Quest, by Daniel Odier, Daniel describes his teacher, Devi:
"Devi ate slowly. Each of her movements was in harmony; each mouthful seemed to bring her profound joy. This way of absorbing herself in things extended to her every activity. I had the impression that nothing was done mechanically. With her, everything was an occasion for communicatingd eeply, for remaining always anchored in reality. Thus, everything she did became a teaching for me. Through my association with her, I noticed those "holes" that punctuate our daily lives when we completely lose consciousness of the moment and of the divine harmony as well. It worked like real magic in Devi's least gesture, action, expression. It was as if the flow of time suddenly found itself slowed down by a dance partner from reality."
I have come to understand that all individuals are truly unique, and that we are all trying to come to a place of understanding, loving and healing ourcellves. Our bodies are the result of our choices, our karma, our family, our education, and are a central aspect of our life's path destiny. We each have unique puzzles to unlock in the story of our bodies, and healing our bodies is the work that we must do in order to heal ourselves. And I believe that every one of us has an essential key in unlocking the whole puzzle that is a culture in the midst of transformation, but that we must learn how to listen to, and decode the puzzle of ourcellves, in order to offer our key.My challenge, of learning how to not burn myself up, and needing to slow down and become more silent, more grounded, and embodied, may not be your karmic work. My challenge to you, however, is to discover the truth within your body that will help you be a full embodiment of your soul, and that will be of the most benefit to the wellbeing of others.Art by Mara Friedman