So one of the things that I love about color therapy is just how simple it is,
And we can amplify the effects of color energy with a method that's known as layering.
And you'll find examples of layering woven through lots of different therapies and systems,
Not just color therapy.
But the basis of layering is the idea that our systems respond even more powerfully to suggestions which speak to all of our senses.
So we can use a focus on a color and then we can add to its energetic strength by including sound and sensation and scent to amplify the overall experience.
And in my book,
Energy Alchemy,
I talk you through various different exercises which you can then carry out that explore nervous system resets in this way.
And today,
I wanted to share an exercise that I developed for myself actually many years ago when I was pregnant.
And so,
Many of you will know firsthand that when we're pregnant,
Our bodies go through changes.
And one of the changes that I became aware of was that as my baby grew and took up more space within my body,
My lung capacity became restricted.
And I have this memory,
And still quite clearly actually,
Of sitting on a tube train on my way into work in London and feeling hot because it was in the summertime.
Lacking personal space,
As is so often the case in these settings,
And just not being able to breathe as deeply as I used to,
To calm my system.
And at the same time,
I was learning about becoming a mum,
And I'd been reading about how using the sound and rhythmically platy.
On the baby's skin was soothing for them on the basis that those two actions,
The shush and the patting,
Mimicked the sounds of the mother's heartbeat and body surrounding the baby in the womb.
Makes sense really,
Doesn't it?
And so I developed my own version of shush for myself.
And I have used the shush sound many,
Many times.
And since then,
Things like guided meditation and one-to-one healing sessions,
Because when we make this sound,
It signals release and peace to our own systems from the inside out.
And it does it in a way that actually only we can do for our own bodies.
So I amplified the shush with what I now call the three S's and this is what I'm going to guide you through today.
So S number one is smooth and I encourage you now to explore what smooth means to you.
Now as I'm doing right now you could hold a lovely smooth stone and you could explore its surface and you could notice how your body responds to this lovely smooth sensation and you might find that you associate a certain color with smooth or even a shape.
I often do think of a circle or a spherical shape when I think of smooth because a circle or a sphere never really ends,
Does it?
And every part of its form is equal and you can draw it fast or you can draw it slowly and either way it still has the same sense of regularity to it.
And you might find that as I'm saying this now that you might like to picture drawing a circle in your mind's eye or even want to draw it in the air in front of you or on a piece of paper.
Whatever works for you is great.
Now,
The next S is safe.
And once again,
I encourage you to explore what safe means for you.
And for me,
This involves things like being warm and comfortable.
And this is why I often use blankets and scarves in my sessions.
And I suggest that you wear comfy clothes.
And I amplify safe with warm and earthy colors.
So perhaps picturing fiery colors,
Perhaps connecting with the idea of a tree.
Feeling or picturing its bark,
And recognizing how strong the tree is,
How connected to the earth is,
How deep its roots are.
And simultaneously,
I often draw a square shape to represent,
Say,
For me,
Because as I do this,
I imagine the four corners as the four elements,
Or four angels acting as protectors or guardians.
Now,
That's just an example for you.
You're welcome to try this,
And you might find that something completely different comes up for you and that's absolutely fine.
It's just about listening to and communicating this to your system on numerous levels.
And then the last S is SWIFT.
Now the reason for this is that so much of our anxiety originates from pressure around time,
Doesn't it?
And when we feel like we're playing beat the clock,
Running like a hamster on a wheel,
It can be hard to stay truly grounded and calm and present to get through whatever we need to do.
And swift is such a lovely word because it suggests motion and ease but without resistance.
And it sounds like it has its own momentum,
Its own speed.
With SWIFT that things are definitely moving,
They're definitely happening,
But without being pushed or rushed.
And SWIFT is a helpful suggestion to draw on,
Particularly when we're having a challenging experience,
Because we can sit with that experience whilst almost being the kind of nurturing mother for ourselves,
Reminding our system that we can allow for this experience to pass,
SWIFTly,
As part of the natural order of things,
Without avoidance,
But also without rushing or getting stuck.
And Swift for me is also the bird by the same name,
Which is the motion of wings through air,
A lovely cool blue and the shape of a wiggle or a wave.
So there you go,
That's an introduction to my shoosh and the three S's process.
Smooth.
And switch.
And so next time you encounter a challenge or you feel stressed or like time is taking over,
Just give yourself a few moments,
Save this,
Stop and listen to it again,
And then try it for yourself.
And once you've done that,
If you want to get in touch and let me know how you got on,
I would absolutely love to hear from you.
Sending all my love today.
