Self-Compassion: Somatic Coach Virginia Beach
Finding Peace in Your Body: A Guide from Virginia Beach
It's easy to believe nothing will make a difference when we feel stuck in despair and hopelessness. While these feelings are entirely normal, they don't have to be your permanent state.
Understanding your nervous system can transform how you feel in your body. Your vagus nerve - connecting your brain to your heart, stomach, and beyond - plays a crucial role in your sense of safety and ease. Sometimes, we get caught in patterns of being constantly on alert or feeling shut down, and it starts to feel like that's just who we are.
Common barriers to healing:
Believing taking care of yourself is selfish
Fearing that slowing down will overwhelm you
Feeling alone in your journey
Believing you can't create meaningful change
The path forward isn't about forcing positivity. It's about learning to turn toward yourself with curiosity and gentleness. Self-compassion becomes a practical tool, not just a nice idea. Healing happens sustainably, like a tortoise rather than a hare. Slow and steady creates lasting change.
Here are four practices that can help you build a more compassionate relationship with yourself:
Practice 1: Place your hands around your cheeks and let your face rest in your palms. Take three deep breaths, feeling and sensing the warmth of your hands and inviting your cheeks and jaw to relax. Gently repeat to yourself: "May I feel safe."
Practice 2: Gently place your hands along the sides of your neck so that the heels of your palms come together in front of your chin. Take three deep breaths, feeling and sensing the warmth of your hands and inviting your neck to relax. Gently repeat to yourself: "May I feel content."
Practice 3: Place your hands over your heart in the center of your chest. Take three deep breaths, feeling and sensing the warmth of your hands. This will invite your chest and heart to release any tension. Gently repeat to yourself, "May I feel peace."
Practice 4: Place both hands over your belly, one hand resting on the other. Take three deep breaths, feeling and sensing the warmth of your hands. Invite your belly to soften. Gently repeat to yourself: "May I live with ease."
These practices are meant to be gentle invitations, not another item on your to-do list. You might start your day with one practice or turn to them when overwhelmed. The key is finding what works for you at your own pace. At The Healing Arts Center in Virginia Beach, we understand that building a relationship with yourself takes time. We're here to support you on that journey.
