A lot of the shame that we picked up about ourselves started in childhood.
Whether we learned to make ourselves small and quiet,
Or to hold heavy secrets in our hearts,
The weight of the shame can carry deep into our adulthood.
In our closing practice together,
We'll invite our inner child into our present-day lives,
Giving them their time to speak and share their story.
Working with our inner child can bring up so much emotion.
If at any time during this practice you need to pause or you need to take a breath,
I welcome you to do whatever makes you feel most supported.
We'll set up for our practice today,
Preferably in a seated position.
Feet may root into the ground,
Or you could be seated with your legs crossed.
Your eyes could be open for this practice,
Or they could be closed.
And we'll begin with a breath in through the nose for a count of four,
And out through the nose for a count of eight.
So,
Inhaling for four,
Three,
Two,
One,
And exhaling for eight,
Seven,
Six,
Five,
Four,
Three,
Two,
One.
Inhaling for four,
And exhaling for eight.
Breathing in for four,
And breathing out for eight.
Returning the breath to an easy,
Natural pace.
Noticing how it feels to be in the body.
When you're ready,
I welcome you to bring to mind you as a child.
At whatever age you felt you needed to be heard.
You needed more support.
No need to think too much about it.
Just landing at an age that feels most clear to you.
Once you've found the age,
Visualizing little you,
Wherever they are,
And observing them.
Seeing their hair and face,
And their clothes,
Noticing their posture,
And what do they sound like?
How do you say hello to them?
What would they appreciate from you?
Maybe is there something you could give them?
Perhaps it's a hug,
A treat,
Or even a smile.
You may like to invite little you to sit just in front of you.
It seems that they need a little cheering up from older you.
How do you cheer up little you?
What do they need?
And what do they tell you?
What do they need to share with you?
And maybe telling little you,
I'm here for you.
Telling them I'll support you.
I'll protect you.
You can trust in me.
You deserve the world.
You have a full life ahead of you.
You can explore anything in this world.
You can be anybody you want to be.
You are perfect just the way you are.
And they love everything about you.
Maybe you could even tell them what you love.
And now noticing their hair and face,
Noticing how little you is feeling.
Perhaps giving them the same gift from before as a goodbye gift.
A smile,
A treat,
A hug.
And tell them that you are always there for them.
This is just a goodbye for now,
But not for forever.
Slowly allowing this visualization to fade.
Coming back into the breath.
You may wish to give yourself a gentle hug,
A loving embrace.
Because all of you needs this love.
Coming into this moment by noticing any sounds near you.
Or any sounds far away.
Any emotions in the body.
Taking a deep inhale through both nostrils,
Feel the body expand with air.
And exhale,
Letting something go.
Your eyes may open if they're closed.
Feeling into the space around your body.
As you continue on your life path,
Know that this work will continue.
And it's also okay to take breaks from trying to mend our hearts.
This process is just that,
A process.
There will be different stages and findings along the way.
Like our meditation practice.
We can continue to return back to it.
Back into safely exploring our sensuality by connecting with our bodies through breath,
Touch,
Creativity,
And more.
There are endless ways to explore and I hope you continue to find new safe and consensual ways that work for you.
Journaling and reflecting is a great way to continue the exploration of our sexuality.
And to see what's working for us and what doesn't.
Your story can always be rewritten.
I'm so grateful for your presence here with me.
May you be well.
May you be safe.
May you feel loved.
Take good care.
