18/10/2022
Self holding practice 〰️
Lately, I've been exploring more and more with touch and self holding to soothe my nervous system when I'm feeling anxious or stressed.
These practices can look as simple as a gentle massage of the hands, or something a little more such as placing one palm on the chest and the other on the forehead or belly.
So often we can forget that we live in a body at all, and that this body can be a site of enjoyment and pleasure. Along with helping to down regulate the nervous system, these practices can offer the space to explore greater ease, perhaps even a savouring of sensation and a feeling of aliveness.
You might settle into your own small practice now or save this post for later when you're feeling activated or uneasy.
~ find a comfortable way of being, whether that be seated, laying down or standing
~ choose somewhere to place your hands that feels supportive, this might be: hands to thighs, to your torso or maybe to your head
~ take time to explore and adjust to find a way of holding your body that feels right for you
~ perhaps you find stillness and apply just 5% pressure through your hands
~ breath here for a few moments and notice if anything arises, anything shifts
~ you might grow curious as to where you feel the most alive? the most joy?
I often weave these practices through my facilitation, pausing for moments of stillness to feel into the boundaries of the body. This can sometimes act as a gentle way to move toward your own internal landscape, allowing you to be guided by your own unique sensations and experiences.
Please know that self holding practices can sometimes feel supportive and sometimes not.
Be gentle with yourself.
image by Callum T Needham