Yes! No!

From Daphne Gordon, writer, editor and coach who joined Pleasure As Medicine last week:

I feel alive and aware today, even though there are lots of reasons to be stressed.

I think it’s because I did a 30-minute recorded physical practice this morning before I sat down at my desk. It blew me away with its simplicity and ability to shift my energy.

I was feeling tired and stressed about fires, teen parenting, an oven that doesn’t work, and an app that wouldn’t let me in! Anyway, the exercise was offered by Alison Crosthwait as part of her free Pleasure As Medicine course this week.

She asked participants to embody « YES » and to feel the energy of the yes in our bodies, rather than go into a particular story about yes.

Then we embodied « NO » with energy, not story.

Then we went back and forth a few times. YES energy NO energy.

Wow!

The YES energy early in my day made me think about the stories of course, about what and who energizes me. I’m reaching for those things today. I’m standing straighter, taller.

The NO energy reminded me that it’s okay to say no and it’s okay to express it in my body as strongly as I feel it. I don’t have to hide my no by smiling or nodding or explaining. It’s important to have a strong and clear no that can’t be misunderstood.

When it was done I said: Okay! Ready to be a teen parent.

*****

Thank you, Daphne for sharing your experience of one of my favorite exercises. It is simple and powerful and brings so much to the surface.

Can we say yes with our whole selves?

Can we say no?

Starting in the yes no without any situations or stories in mind helps us to feel into our bodies and our energy.

Most people begin this exercise feeling quite inhibited and they immediately see how personal this experience is. How their own life force energy is so often restrained. starts with our bodies. Our energy. And then we can bring it to the situations of our lives.

This is exactly what we do in Expand. With ongoing practice and support and medicine work layered in (if we choose - it's optional) we unlock areas of energy that have been unavailable to us for a long time. And we connect with our essence.

Expand is a three month alchemical program to transform your current experience into a new chapter in your life.