Letting Go. Many Times.

“If the pain was deep, you will have to let it go many times.” - Yung Pueblo

It might feel like recovery is happening too slowly. Or there may be guilt feelings about sitting with the pain for far too long. This can be especially true if others in our lives (friends or family) question our emotions or give us constructive feedback on what we’re feeling and how we’re dealing with it. Only you know how the trauma has affected your mind, your body, and your spirit. And only you know the truth of the events. Having to let go of the pain many times can feel like we’re living in the past or failing to move forward. The healing process can begin to feel stagnant. It’s not necessarily a steady and forward moving progression, and sometimes it can feel like you’re moving in all directions, even backward. Some liken the process to a slinky. And for some, the process can be long, maybe lasting a lifetime. However, from the broader perspective of recovery, even the slightest progression of micro-movements is a successful progression. And progression that for some, will take time.

There is a saying in the physical practice of yoga that our bodies are different every day. Some days you find progress in the depth of your breath, in the physicality of your postures, or in your mind, body connection. Other days, your mind, body, or breath may feel as though it’s the very first time you’re practicing all over again. We can find this back-and-forth similarity in a lot of aspects of life if we think about it - grieving the loss of loved ones or learning a new skill, for example. After all, in yoga it is also said that our practice can be carried with us and lived off the mat. Similarly, regarding the pain we carry, our body and our mind can feel different every day. Keep practicing and keep letting go.