A seed needs 3 things to start growing: warmth, water, and good soil. I’m playing around with growing greens this spring – it’s exciting to see what it takes for little seeds to root down into the soil, and reach up toward to sun. Sticking with our theme of coming out of hibernation – what do humans need for growth? What motivates us toward growth? We have our cycles just like all other creatures & plants on the planet. We have a time for rest, action, recuperation; tuning in & tuning out.
There’s a diagram I like to refer to – Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. It suggests that we need to take care of our basic needs (food, water, rest, shelter) before we can grow into other needs – just like a seed does to grow into a plant. If we don’t have these basic things taken care of, our brains & nervous system can’t turn attention to things like personal growth or even cultivating relationships. If we experience pain in our body – like muscle pain or dis-ease – that interrupts our ability to grow as well, because that interferes with our sense of safety. Discomfort is distracting. Discomfort takes up a lot of brainpower in trying to get out of discomfort, so we don’t have the energy to cultivate the next level of our own growth and self-care.
Becoming aware of our own needs – and the order in which they need to be addressed – can help to open up pathways to actually getting those needs met, so we have the energy to move on. Doorways become clearer. So often I see folks get caught in a spin cycle of discomfort, not knowing there are ways out and habituating painful patterns.
What’s your good soil for growth? Are you getting your basic needs met as we approach springtime?
Tomorrow, we’re going to explore waking up from the pelvis & center of the lower belly. Being able to take a deep breath into the whole center activates deeper circulation and blood flow, which helps to release muscle tension. Hope to see you there!
Somatics Basics Class
Wednesdays at 9amEST on Zoom
Week 1, February 24th: Breathing into the low back
Week 2, March 3rd: Breathing into the chest & shoulders
Week 3, March 10th: Breathing into the pelvis
Week 4, March 17th: Breathing into the waist
Wednesdays at 9amEST on Zoom. Hope to see you there!
I’ll send out the Zoom link Tuesday evening so it’s fresh in your inbox.
(Registration closes at 9pm the night before.)
Classes run 35-45 minutes. Make sure you have a yoga mat sized space for the practice. Your video and audio will be off when you first get in the “room”, you have the option to turn both on. I’d love to *see* you, but feel free to remain off if you’re more comfortable that way 🙂
daysomatics.com 