Shedding: The Quiet Beginning of Transformation
Shedding: Discarding an old self to come into a new self.
It is a subtle release, a letting go of expectations from the external and coming back to the internal, the capital S - self. To transform, to alchemise. We shed so another cycle can begin. Think of this in terms of a yoga practice. When you enter a yoga class, the teacher has the class sit on their mats and brings our attention to the present moment. Then the practice begins…. Moving the body through a series of poses. Sometimes the poses are held for a period of time, in that timeframe, we may hit a block and start to create a story around what is going on internally. But then the teacher transitions and moves to another pose, we think to ourselves, finally some relief! The cycle continues as you, the student, move through the practice on the mat until we are brought into the final pose where we rest. During the practice, there was a subtle shedding of an old narrative or ego. A subtle change that you might not notice but deep inside your body the muscles, fascia, bones, etc. have shifted and changed. Magic has just occurred.
When a snake sheds their skin, it leaves them vulnerable, signifying that they have outgrown their old skin, and sometimes the shedding is incomplete. Much like us humans, when they are going through a transition in life. There is a sense of vulnerability, to get to the next step, what you need to shed might still be a work in progress. You may feel ungrounded, uncertain, and your nervous system is at an all time high.
Deep belly breathing can help ground and regulate the nervous system.
To practice deep belly breathing:
Find a comfortable seat or lie down
Place one hand on your chest and the other on your low belly
Close your eyes (if safe to do so) or lower your gaze
As you inhale, feel your hands expand, allowing your chest to fill then feel the expansion all the way to your belly.
As you exhale, feel your hands contract, emptying all the air, start at the belly and allow the breath to move up the body.
Repeat
Do 4 to 6 rounds of the deep belly breathing
Take a moment to notice and see if anything has shifted in your body. Carry the feeling with your through the rest of your day. If needed, do this breath practice through out the day.
