05/11/2024
It was a beautiful, quiet morning by the beach, the kind where the air feels warm and gentle. I was practicing my Functional Somatic Yoga routine, letting each slow, mindful movement sink in, tuning into my body and feeling the layers of tension releasing. This was my sacred time—a moment to let go, reset, and reconnect with myself.
When I finished my practice, I noticed a woman approaching me with a kind smile and a hint of hope in her eyes. “This is so inspiring,” she said. “I couldn’t help but notice the way you’re moving…are you a therapist?”
She explained that she and her husband were on holiday, hoping to unwind and enjoy the scenery, but her husband had been struggling with severe shoulder pain. It had put a shadow over their trip, dampening their ability to fully enjoy their time together. “Do you think you could help him?” she asked, her voice filled with a mix of hope and concern.
We scheduled a session, and G. arrived with an openness to the possibility of relief. I was moved by his willingness to embrace this journey, trusting in the process with such grace. Together, we began exploring gentle, mindful movements to release the deep-seated tension that had accumulated in his body over the past two or three decades.
As I guided him through the movements, I could see him gradually sinking into the experience, becoming more attuned to the areas where his body had been holding stress and gently unwinding those long-standing patterns. It was a humbling and beautiful process to witness, a reminder of the quiet strength in letting go and allowing oneself to heal.
At the end of our session, G. slowly stood up, looked at me with wide eyes, and moved his shoulder in small circles, testing it. A huge smile spread across his face, and he laughed, almost in disbelief. “The pain…it’s completely gone!” he said, joy lighting up his face. He called his wife over, and together they shared a moment of pure happiness, his relief becoming their shared joy.
She looked at me with a grin and said, “Now I’m jealous!” Her playfulness and curiosity were infectious, and since I had some time, I offered to do a session with her right away. She jumped at the chance, ready to explore what this practice could offer. As we began, I watched her dive in wholeheartedly, tuning into her own body and letting it guide her to a new place of lightness and ease. By the end, she was absolutely thrilled, her energy transformed, a glow of freedom and calm radiating from her.
As we wrapped up, they shared that they’d be heading back to Canada soon, but they were both so grateful to feel renewed and free from the discomfort that had been weighing them down. We parted with warm smiles, a shared sense of gratitude, and the knowledge that sometimes, the simplest of moments can spark the deepest transformations.
Watching them walk away, I felt deeply grateful for this work, reminded of how powerful connection, trust, and healing can be. It is moments like these that keep me grounded in my purpose, knowing that even a chance encounter can bring a new level of freedom and joy. I am so happy for them as they continue their journey back home, carrying a little more lightness and a lot more joy.
