February Sadhana

Hi Friends!

Jeanine here. Golly gee 2025 has been off to an interesting start for me. As ya'll know, I have OCD. I've come a long, long way in my journey yet still find myself easily defaulting to over-thinking, rumination, and relying on sense-making and story telling in my mind as a safety protocol. The past few weeks have been just that for me and such a potent reminder of why I do this work and why I am so passionate about sharing Somatic Therapy tools. 

The human mind is an extraordinary tool, capable of abstract thinking, problem-solving, and creating narratives that help us make sense of our experiences. It organizes information, connects events, and interprets the world around us, giving structure and meaning to what might otherwise feel chaotic. This ability to weave stories and find patterns is a critical survival mechanism, enabling us to plan, predict, and navigate complex environments. Thank you, Brain! We love you, Brain! 

However, the mind's strength can also be its limitation. When left unchecked, the mind tends to over-identify with its own narratives, mistaking them for absolute truths rather than interpretations. It often seeks certainty and control, clinging to rigid beliefs and overanalyzing situations. This relentless pursuit of order can lead to anxiety, stress, and a disconnection from the present moment. In essence, while the mind excels as a tool for processing and interpreting, it becomes problematic when it assumes the role of master, dominating our experience and fueling fears based on imagined outcomes rather than actual realities.

Somatic therapy offers a powerful approach to address this imbalance by shifting focus from the mind to the body. Rooted in the understanding that the body holds wisdom beyond conscious thought, somatic practices encourage individuals to connect with their physical sensations and the present moment.

By attuning to the body, we can identify the tension, discomfort, or subtle cues that arise when we are caught in unhelpful mental patterns.

Through somatic therapy, we learn to gently question the stories our minds create. Instead of accepting thoughts and beliefs as indisputable facts, we develop the ability to observe them with curiosity and discernment. This process fosters a tolerance for uncertainty and helps us release the need for absolute control. By reconnecting with bodily awareness, we cultivate a sense of grounding and resilience, enabling us to navigate the unknown with greater ease.

Ultimately, somatic therapy helps us rebalance the relationship between mind and body, allowing the mind to serve as a supportive tool rather than an overbearing enemy. This shift opens the door to a more embodied, present, and accepting way of being.

If you find yourself stuck in patterns of over thinking and living in your mind -- you are not alone! And there are so many tools to re-orient us back to the present moment and our embodiment. <3 

1. Morning Grounding Ritual (5–10 Minutes)

   • Sit comfortably, See how it feels to feel your feet on the floor. (or any other grounding practice) 
   • Maybe close your eyes and explore taking three slow, deep breaths, letting each exhale soften your body any amount. 
   • Place one hand on your chest and one on your belly (or anywhere that feels comfortable for you). Ask yourself any version of the question:
     "What am I feeling in my body right now?"
   • Allow sensations—tightness, warmth, tingling—to arise without judgment. Let your mind rest in the simplicity of the moment.

2. Question the Stories (10 Minutes)

   • Write down a persistent thought or worry that’s dominating your mind.
   • Ask yourself any version of these questions:
     • "What evidence do I have that this thought is absolutely true?"
     • "What might I be missing?"
     • What state of my nervous system am I in as I tell this story? (sympathetic activation, dorsal shut down, or ventral vagal responsive) Can I shift into a more ventral vagal responsive state and see what story emerges?

3. Embodied Movement Practice (15 Minutes)

   • Stand up, shake out your arms and legs, and play music that makes you feel alive.
   • Move intuitively—without a plan or goal—letting your body lead. Focus on feeling your body move instead of thinking about how it looks.

4. End-of-Day Reflection (5–10 Minutes)

   • Sit quietly, hand on your heart or any where that resonates. Reflect on moments of uncertainty or discomfort during the day.
   • Ask yourself any version of these questions:
     • "How did my body feel in those moments?"
     • "What would it feel like to allow that uncertainty to simply exist?"
     • "Who am I if I am not in control?"
   • Take three slow, deep breaths to close, embracing the uncertainty as part of your journey.

This practice encourages a shift from mind dominance to body awareness, inviting you to question rigid stories and cultivate trust in the unknown. Through this, we learn to live not in control, but in harmony.

Let us know how this all lands for you! See you Tuesday February 4th at 4p PST for our next live Sangha Call! xo