Why do we do the work of coming back into connection with our bodies? So often the wisdom they hold is not immediately apparent. Feeling for ourselves means also feeling the places that are uncomfortable -- our physical aches, the emotions we don't quite know what to do with, the old wounds.

Why do we spend time in prayer and ritual? We meditate even though it seems our minds will never slow. We make time to be alone, even though some part of us longs to be in community. Amid our overfull schedules we bring ourselves again and again to the tension of doing less.

Why do we ask these questions? You know, the ones that make others uncomfortable. We say the things that need to be said even though there's a real risk that by doing so we will be labeled as "a problem" or "moody" or "sensitive." Yet, that fear does not hold us back. We feel it in our chest, as we honor the fire in our hearts.

I've been asking myself these questions this week. Reflecting on my own journey and inspired by so many of the women I've had the pleasure to work with, I'm remembering what we confront as we commit to a somatic practice.

Often what brings us to this work is ...

Some hope that we can get some tools to understand our bodies, and thus ourselves, a little better.
Some hope that by unpacking old wounds our children will be less burdened.
Some hope that when the darkness is upon us that we can maybe find more kindness.
Some hope that our breath can come a little easier.

But from engaging day after day we see that these initial longings were only part of what brought us into practice.

Why we really do this work, spend this time, lean into our knowing amid adversity is because we want to be free. This journey of coming back to our own bodies, though at times challenging, seems essential towards getting us closer to liberation.

The more we practice the more we feel the glimmer of a truer existence.

Where we can find ease in less doing and more being.
Where we are guided by the life-giving ways of our ancestors that live in our bones.
Where we feel in full partnership with ourselves and the living world.

This is why.

Practicing with you,
Kelsey