Dragons and Skeletons as Movement Medicine
Matching and Mismatching Behavior as Communication not Pathology
I’m hopeful that the concept of “behavior as communication” is starting to have a ripple effect in parenting, in education, in corporate dynamics, in romantic dances, etc. In other words, instead of shaping or sculpting behavior into compliance or rigid expectations, when we explore behavior and reactions as pathways to meeting needs, we have a greater capacity for nervous system regulation resulting in focus, creative problem solving, healthy discourse, interoceptive awareness, a rhythmic digestive pace, and developmentally appropriate self-regulation, only to name a few.
When we can become curious about disembodiment and dissociation, avoidance of conflict, gossiping or bullying, chronic freeze patterns, urges to flee, and tendencies to bite or snap back, we can become more interested and compassionate with expanding on the idea that something wants our attention, our love, our consideration, our bravery.
Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love. ~ Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet (1929)
Meeting fierce or foggy energy doesn’t have to be flooding or overwhelming. There’s a way to experience and embody one’s innate reflexes into transformative living (and not by using bypass measures). Meeting the dragons, the skeletons, the wild hag, the baba yaga, takes ownership and accountability, but it doesn’t have to be damning, dimming or shaming.
With a trained Chi for Two®️embodiment coach, we are able to allow our glowing and sharp energy to unfold and shine in useful, sustainable, nourishing ways. Becoming curious about somatic approaches, trauma along the spectrum, and inhibited movement expression from a relational and developmental approach can help one to embody the rainbow of rhythms that feed our instinctual life.
Dragons and Skeletons as Healing Potential
Yes, the matching, in sync, rhythms of holistic healing are desirable and comforting. Embracing holistic as “whole” can be reframed and renourished by honoring all the bio-psycho-social roots that crave not only the matching/indulging rhythms of connection (like synchronistic yoga practices etc) but also and perhaps more importantly the mismatching/developmental-fighting rhythms of separation as identified by Kestenberg/Loman.
When we can invite these inhibited movement expressions one at a time using Levine’s concept of titration, we are able to move thru what feels stuck or fierce or scary. Sometimes these stuck, fierce, scary sensations or feelings can’t initially be articulated or verbalized but become reactive or habitually unproductive. These “dragons or skeletons” are the proverbial princesses hungry for connection and hold not only great healing potential but satisfying embodiment for a fulfilling, wakeful life.
Many helpers across the world — from psychotherapists, to bodyworkers, to tai chi practitioners, etc — are being trained in Chi for Two, a multigenerational trauma healing method that synthesizes a multitude of integrative and holistic modalities with a particular emphasis on repattern nervous system functioning. M-Bodied Therapy and Coaching uses Chi for Two early relational life practices to help clients re-nourish their lives.
Interested in learning how to embody those dragons? Interested in how to encounter the wild hag with courage?
M-Bodied Therapy & Coaching will be offering a virtual series where we explore story as medicine to help develop strong intuition, sharpen one’s senses and embody the Baba Yaga for deep nourishment. Stay tuned for details, or connect here for more.