Finding Freedom in Non-Linear Movement: Exploring Anxiety with Kindness
This morning, I started my day with a practice called non-linear movement. Instead of structured movements or routines, I simply let the music guide me, allowing my body to move freely in response to the sounds. It was a grounding experience, one where I could tune into my feelings without forcing them to change. And as I moved, one feeling stood out sharply: a quiet, persistent fear sitting right in my heart area. I’ve been holding this fear for a while, as a way to shield myself from hurt or disappointment.
As I stayed with it, I practiced a principle I know well from my yoga practice—ahimsa, or non-violence. This means not only refraining from physical harm but also treating myself with compassion. Rather than trying to push the fear away or judge it, I just let it be, allowing my body to express itself without forcing a shift in the feeling.
While the fear didn’t magically disappear, I ended the practice with a new sense of curiosity. Instead of feeling weighed down by the fear, I felt a little lighter, intrigued by this part of myself I’ve been carrying. I realized that holding onto this fear as protection has been creating a barrier in my life, and in a way, it’s adding to my anxiety. By hiding this part of me or guarding myself too tightly, I end up feeling less genuine in some relationships, less open, and more isolated.
Exploring this brought up a powerful question: Are there things you’re holding onto to protect yourself, too? Could these hidden parts, the guarded feelings, be adding to your anxiety?
What if, instead of judging them or trying to push them away, you approached these emotions with kindness and curiosity? What might happen if you let yourself sit with them without rushing to change them?
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