A Safe Place to Land

A plane lands gently and safely on a runway.

Do you know that feeling?

I surely do.

Ahhhhhhh….

Now imagine that same scenario as it relates to emotions.

“It’s not a problem,” one of my SomaSoul mentors is known for saying.

Any emotion, experience, sensation, concern, complaint, desire, anything and everything is welcome here, she would explain.

When I hear these words, “it’s not a problem”, I feel like I’ve just landed on a safe landing field.

Somatically, I notice how I move from a spinning head to feeling the ground beneath my feet.

Now I have choice.

Recently, I had an interesting experience that further illustrates this.

I’m auditing the SomaSoul Professional Training track this year as a graduate.

This week we began “Support Labs”.

These are small groups facilitated by one of the SomaSoul trainers. Their purpose is for us to practice the tools we’ve been learning and receive support.

I offered to be the “therapist”.

Another group member offered to be the “client”.

A moment later, I felt taken over by a fierce and loud wave of fear.

My heart was pounding, my arms and legs were shaking.

Oh yeah, I forgot about this part…

 I wanted to flee.

I knew a younger part of me was getting touched.

Teenage me was here! The one who felt like she was frequently on the family auction block, wearing the heavy cloak of responsibility, perfection and impossible to meet expectations as the oldest child.

No room for feelings.

The facilitator began by sharing what was arising for her as we began this new group.

As I was listening to her, I began to lengthen and slow my breathing.

She then asked me what feelings and emotions were arising as I began to facilitate a session.

Wow. Simply being asked brought me back to the present moment.

Being met in my fear helped me anchor in safety and regulation.

I let the heavy cloak slide off my shoulders onto the floor.

Present for myself, with the support of the facilitator and more fully present for my client, we began.

This is SomaSoul.

We get to be human.

We get to have:

 A Safe Place to Land.