Belonging Through Ancestry In The Body

This short practice invites a reflection of who we are and the power of our healing work as we welcome awareness of our ancestors into the body. Through awareness of this cellular connection, we find that we innately belong wherever we are, exactly as we are.

Transcript

And then you can start to feel the energy of the body. So, Let's begin by taking a moment to get as comfortable as you can, Either seated or lying down. Just allowing yourself to get as comfortable as you possibly can. And once you're there, Gently closing the eyes as an invitation to go inward, Stepping away from all the input and activity of the day around you. And coming to a more internal space as you draw a full breath in through the nose and softly exhale through the mouth. Doing that two more times in your own rhythm, Drawing in breath through the nose, Receiving the gift of breath. Then softly exhale with each exhale, Allowing the body to sink a little further into the support beneath and behind you. And after you've completed three breaths like this, Allowing the breath to find its own natural rhythm, With each breath flowing fluidly one after the other. The breath deepens and you begin to scan the body gently. Just softening through the crown of the head, Forehead, Both eyelids, Both eyes. Softening through both cheeks, Both ears, The sides of the nose. Softening through the lips, The tongue, And the jaw. Softening through the neck and the shoulders, The length of both arms all the way down to the fingertips. Softening through the chest, Abdomen, Belly, And the whole length of the spine. Softening through the hips, Thighs, Knees, Shins, And ankles. Softening through both feet, Allowing the whole body to feel soft. If there's any areas of tension or discomfort that call at your attention, Simply acknowledging these. Allowing the breath to travel to these places, Welcoming all sensation. All is welcome, All is okay. Begin to deepen the breath. Consider your body, The whole body. The lineage of your body. Consider all the bodies in your ancestry that you carry with you that are alive within yourselves. Your parents, Grandparents, Great grandparents. Even if you don't know or have direct relationship with these individuals, Simply noticing the ancestry, The depth of knowledge and experience that lives within yourselves, Generation after generation after generation. Feeling the ancestry in the skin, The muscles, The structure of the bones, The bones of the bones. It is said that at any time, We have three generations living alive within the body, If not more. We have the cells of those that came before us and the generative cells of the future generations that we carry within us as seeds of potential. Recognizing all the bodies in the ancestry that you carry within you, Within your body, Within yourselves. You might invite the question, Who is this body? Who is this body? Who am I? Simply noticing what images, Sensations, Feeling, Tones or thoughts arise. Who is this body? Who am I? Who am I? Seeing the space, Placing your hands on the heart, Breathing gently here to hold awareness of all those that came before you that are part of this body, Generation after generation after generation alive within you. But as you heal yourself, You heal the ancestry as well, For they are alive within every cell of the body. As you inhale, You might gently state to yourself, I. And as you exhale, You might gently state, Belong. Inhale, I. Exhale, Belong. I belong. I belong. I belong. I belong. Continuing to breathe in this way for a few more moments on your own, In your own rhythm, Your own pace. Noticing how the body responds to this gentle statement, I belong. I belong. And sensing this connection of belonging to this history as well as the capacity and potential that you have to move forward to heal the past as you heal the present and to know that you always belong. Gently deepening the breath and becoming aware of the support of the seat beneath and behind you. Feeling fully supported within the history of the cells as well as in the physical space here. Just resting on the heart, Taking a full breath in. Open the mouth, Exhale with a sigh and softly tucked chin to chest and pause, Writing a soft grin to form on the lips, One that says, Yes, I belong. Gently opening the eyes and returning to your day, Knowing you have the power of an entire lineage within you, Always available and that you are never alone. Soft yoga. .

Reviews

This should be an anthem for all souls thank you Patty

Very informative. In my case I noticed my resistance to some of the guidance bc I have very tenuous relationship w my abusive mother and the thought of her cells being a part of me brings up a lot of resistance. Plus I know some of the older generations had a lot of violence among them. But even this resistance was useful to be made aware of Bc in a way it’s a rejection of self: my ancestors are part of me, even the ones I don’t like. I sent it (my resistance) compassion and love and tried not to judge it too much. Though if I’m honest I probably did a lil bit of both, and that’s ok. Acceptance has so many layers, it’s a process.

Patty this was such an interesting meditation. My family is not overly connected and this just gave me the sense of connection. Time for me to pass this on to my children so they can pass on to their children. Thank you