Love is....Healing

Today is Valentine's Day and every day is a day to celebrate love. I have learned on this amazing healing odyssey that all love has to begin with self love. Love and her sisters kindness, compassion and gratitude are what lift me out of the muck and mire of my trauma history into the beauty and goodness of now. I experienced the power of Divine Love today on the bodywork table of Joseph Welch at South Boston Yoga. Very apropros since after all it is Valentine's day.

I went into the session anticipating a wonderful relaxing massage. I was sore from my yoga practice and engaging new muscles. I wasn't focused on this being a session for healing or transformation. I was keeping it at the physical level but as I would quickly learn - there's no such thing. There was a space heater but the room was cool since the heat wasn't working at the beginning of our session. I noticed that I wasn't shivering. Being in a cool room used to be a trigger for my sympathetic nervous system to go into trembling mode. Hmmm not happening today. That's really cool. I attribute this wondrous lack of response to my healing and to Joseph's incredible healing energy. His hands were cold at first and then transformed into incredible heat energy.

Joseph found a powerful body memory on my back on my right side. My body was speaking its Truth. I did not brace against this involuntary spasm but allowed myself to work with Joseph to nourish its healing. When I was first diagnosed with post polio syndrome I would harness the power of visualization to help my physical body heal. I hadn't done it for traumatic memories until today. We did not need to exchange any words. We were both invoking the love and power of Divine love to help me heal. I recalled the memory that my body held and allowed myself to be fully and deeply present in the moment as he worked muscle and fascia to bring new blood flow and life to the wounded area. I also experienced something I had not experienced before. There was a separation between me who experienced the trauma as a child and me as a 58 year old woman so incredibly strong and vibrant offering the wounded part of myself love, compassion and healing. I could feel Joseph's heart was joining me in this intention and again not a word was spoken between us. I felt the clarity of the trauma but it did not trigger the usual reaction in my sympathetic nervous system. Love is...healing.

Joseph asked me if I wanted him to work on my psoas before moving up to my shoulders. The psoas is a muscle that if tight, can cause a whole host of pains and maladies. It is near the hip flexors and near the groin area. Without thought I said that sounded right. Joseph brought his hands to his forehead in prayer before he began the work. As he began, I closed my eyes and visualized releasing the trauma held in my groin. My legs were bent. The room was still cool and as he worked on the left side, no shaking or trembling. As Joseph came to the right side, the trembling began. It was a soft, quiet trembling. I recalled what Peter Levine said in his book, "In An Unspoken Voice:How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness" about trembling and how the body needs to complete the discharge of the energy that was a reaction to the trauma. Peter Levine also talks about the healing power of receiving compassionate touch, in his case during the trauma. I harnessed the power of visualization to join with Joseph's heart energy and healing hands to release the traumatic memories. I gave myself permission to heal believing that I am worthy of the freedom and the love and receiving Joseph's wonderful compassionate touch.

As Joseph moved through the rest of the session I breathed deeply and felt this incredible strength and joy rise up within me. He did some work around my throat and I thought how does he know exactly where I need healing but after all he is a Reikki Master. When I walked into the bodywork room, I had no idea the sacred ceremony that was about to happen in my life. As I said to Joseph after the session, the only words I have are thank you. We took a few moments to chat and tears streamed down my cheeks. I know there is more integration that will happen. For now, I am enjoying feelings of self love, gratitude, healing and peace and a renewed strength and confidence in my path.

Love is...Healing.

My prayer for this Valentine's Day and every day is that you may find love for yourself along with gratitude, compassion and forgiveness in your heart; healing in mind, body and spirit and that grace showers you with Divine Love and guidance. May you dance the dance of Divine Joy as your Spirit rises within you.

Happy Valentine's Day
From my heart to yours
With deepest love and gratitude

Mary

Songs of Freedom:Poems from a Healing Odyssey now available for download on Amazon Kindle.