Shedding
Somatic poetry, practice and prompts for growth
Shedding Here I am again, another round of shedding. Releasing the layers of pain, in an effort to regain, a truer sense of self. Cultivating Inner peace, means another release, of the external dysfunctions. Another round of trying to untangle, unbinding and unblinding, disengaging and rearranging, to live at the level of this age. Reorganizing my attachments, to make them secure. Feeling into the swells of rage. Letting the river swallow my grief. Once again seeking safety in the woods, searching for shelter within this storm, one hand on my heart to keep me warm. Waiting out the winter, removing each splinter, of fractured self. Rocking and holding myself Allowing the full flow of tears, releasing the years and years, of accepting all the blame. I am here to reclaim, my own identity. I am not a measure of my mothers worth, It's time for yet another rebirth. Time to start healing from the scar. Time to let all the wounds close over. Breathing into this new, shiny layer of thick skin. Time for my living to truly begin, Time to speak from the authentic voice within. From the voice that has a choice The voice that says– I choose the love I deserve, the love that will create and serve. The love that will regenerate this earth, the love that was with me at my birth. So I shed, I shed all the dread, I bleed blood a shade of deep red. Shedding skins of shame, Moving the energy of the traumatic memories, Frame by frame. I call back my light, I retrieve my birthright, opening my heart, choosing to blossom once again. Unthawing with spring, after another long dark night. Out of this contraction, I will expand like never before. I will elevate and open the once locked doors. I’ll grab the hand of my little wounded self, we will walk through the portal to the present, beyond all the past afflictions, to the landscape of abounding– beauty, wealth and health.
Practice: Dry Brushing and full body shake
Dry brushing is an ancient Ayurvedic medicine technique that exfoliates the skin, improves circulation and lymphatic drainage, and enhances relaxation.
Read here to learn about the additional benefits and how to do this practice, dry brushing is extra beneficial as we transition from winter to spring.
I like to combine dry brushing with full body shaking for release.
Dry brushing first to start the shedding process and then shaking to go a bit deeper.
Shaking is as simple as it sounds, you shake your entire body with the intention to release stress from your system, I am extra intentional around beliefs and stories I am working on releasing, saying “I release…” in my mind or out loud while I shake.
To practice find a place you will be undisturbed, where you can really let loose. Start standing, take a few deep breaths and begin shaking your hands softly, building your intensity as you go, moving the shake into your arms, into your legs, into your entire body (don’t forget your head.)
Shake vigorously for 3-5 mins or till you feel complete. When you stop shaking wrap your arms around your body and gently rock yourself for several minutes. Then lay down in a resting pose on your bed or floor, relaxing and breathing deeply for several minutes, sending your body signals of safety with loving affirmations.
Prompts:
What are you shedding?
What stories or beliefs are hard for you to let go?
What situations cause the most reactivity in you, what is the emotion that is triggered? What is the belief behind that emotion?
What is no longer serving you? Relationships? Career? Possessions?
What is your highest vision?
This is my long form post on the process of shedding, Enjoy!