Reflections on Transitions

Last week was the final week of the spring session of group somatic coaching, which has met as a cohort for the past seven months to learn together, share challenges and successes, and celebrate each other. It's really such an honor to facilitate this journey, and it had me reflecting on endings, transitions, and the liminal space between two states of being.

Why are transitions so hard? Imagine this: you are holding onto something that requires both hands – it's heavy, solid, and has served you well, but you're ready for something new. In fact, you can see something else you want to pick up, right in front of you! But, you realize you need to set down the current thing first. Even though you've been carrying it for some time now, and you know it's served its purpose and you're ready for something new, it's actually quite familiar and you realize it's a little scary to think about putting it down. In order to take this brave step forward, the new thing you want to hold has to become more important to you, to justify the change. You take a deep breath, put it down, and the momentary weightlessness of not carrying anything almost knocks you off balance. It's easy in this moment to revert back to old ways of thinking, old patterns, pick up old objects.

This is your moment of choice! In this liminal space, it's important to cultivate safety so we can continue to learn, listen, engage, and connect with others, and so we don't revert back to old behaviors, habits, tendencies. If you can hold in your mind a clear picture and clear commitment to what you are reaching for, breathe deeply into your belly, and center yourself, you can start to take grounded and confident steps toward what you really want, hold steady and resourced, and embody the qualities that will serve you in this next stage. You might try an extended centering practice, as described below.

What transition/s are you going through? Have you put down the old state yet? What practices are supporting you in this liminal space?

Centering in Dignity, Connection, and Sufficiency

This practice helps you connect with your fundamental needs, clarity on what you long for, and establish a sense of safety and belonging. It just requires a few breaths, but can be extended into as long of a practice as you want.

Take a seat, lie down, or stand. You might practice with eyes open so that eventually you can center yourself in conversation or with others. With each "dimension", just notice any subtle shifts that happen in your breathe, body, posture, sensation, or emotions.

• Length: breathe up and down your spine, and imagine the quality of dignity, your inherent worth. I am here.
• Width: feel the edges of your shoulders and legs, and imagine the quality of connection: with your family, friends, organization, larger community. I belong.
• Depth: breathe into your back body, and then your front body, feeling the depth of your own being and your fundamental sufficiency. I am enough.
• Place your hands on your lower belly and picture where you are headed, the new state of being you're ready to embrace, what you're ready to pick up. I am a commitment to [fill in your own words].

With practice, I think you'll find this a helpful way to come back to yourself, regulate your nervous system, and strengthen your own intuition and resolve. You can turn to this practice multiple times a day – when you feel unsteady, to prepare for a pressured situation, and to connect with what is most important to you.