Judy Keating Enjoying Water

I was born with cerebral palsy and have faced challenges with my body on and off my whole life.  More recently walking is sometimes a challenge, even with my walker I sometimes feel “locked” in a body that it is hard to feel emotions beyond frustration, fear and anger at failure to move when I want. Sometimes my inability to move does not allow me to feel anything beyond focusing on my inability, which creates a truly vicious circle.

Don’t get me wrong, I feel blessed most of the time and sometimes I lose sight of how lucky I am. That is when I turn to the element of water, the emotional realm, how I feel, especially about myself.

I know that I am not the only one to ever feel trapped in circuitous emotional patterns that we did not know how to break free of. Like a groove deeply engrained in an old record that I cannot pull off the internal turntable.  Through Natural Rhythms and the teachings of water, first and always the power of love, true self-love that makes my body melt into a sea of self-acceptance.  This feeling even felt for moments is a quantum healing experience.  Opening to the possibility that I can feel this release of critical self-judgment just for a brief time opens a pathway to the reality of it.
My inability to move my body and walk when I wanted had left me bereft of the feeling of joy that comes when I feel totally free. I rediscovered that joy by getting in a warm pool and finding I could walk…and walk…and dance…and walk backwards…and run…the water supported me emotionally and physically.  I feel such big joy in the water.  What a discovery that freeing up my emotional body and letting myself feel the ecstatic realm of water, play, light me up and enjoy my body just as it is.  How amazing that feeling it in the water enabled me to translate it in the world.  On the earth, even when I could not move like I wanted, I still had the touchstone of self-love and joy to pull on when things got hard.

As for you, are there any places in life that you feel similarly?
Are you experiencing the full palette of your emotions?
Do you feel emotionally free?
If not, how is that inhibiting you from expressing your essence in the world?
What is it that you yearn to do but your old emotional soundtrack inhibits you from doing?

Water is a profound source of nourishment and reflection for you to use as a path to your own version of emotional freedom.  Spend time with water, in the bathtub, at the beach, next to a lake or river or a swimming pool.  Notice your emotional awareness when you get near water, what do you feel? Sit in or near the water often. Remain open to your own feeling guidance. The power of your own inner life your being with your emotions and allowing them to flow will astound you.  This treasure map to your own joy is worth the journey. Enjoy and share your experiences we would love to hear from you.

Contact Natural Rhythms Creation Coach Judy Keating

Does the fast paced world we live in sometimes causes you to feel overwhelmed, and results in a shutdown where there is no passion, no impetus to move, or clarity about what to do?

I have learned that the elemental forces of earth, air, water, fire, and spirit can provide clarity and ease when I consciously engage them. I invite you to try some of these steps the next time you feel overwhelmed.

Recognizing what you are feeling (tired, over committed, burnt out, etc) then use the elements to nurture yourself.

There is no greater compass for what to do next then tapping into your own body wisdom (yes, everyone has it.) What does your body want…Rest? Exercise? Healthy food? Touch?  The next, and sometimes less practiced, step is give your body what it wants as often as possible.  No, really.  If you stop often and ask your body what it needs and you give it exactly that, you will feel more vibrant, more in alignment and be glad to be in your body. Any thoughts that your body cannot be trusted or will somehow lead you astray will lessen the more gratitude you feel for your body.

The fastest way to get “unstuck” with the power of air is to breathe. In…out .as deeply as is comfortable, for at least ten breathes. Then, check in and see if some of that fog has lifted. If not, repeat the ten breathes with intention. Breathe in peace and breath out doubt.

Water helps us through our emotional realm. When in overwhelm, what feelings do you want to express.  Ask yourself, what’s under the overwhelm?  How can water assist me to rejuvenate? Where do I need to surrender and give up control or struggle?  Drink plenty of water.  One of the greatest energy zappers is dehydration, if you feel tapped out go some place quiet and enjoy a cup of tea, water with lemon, or any water based drink that feels good.

Sometimes when we are feeling like we don’t know which way to turn, let your body to do the walking!  Move, dance, swim, take a stroll outside. The calm you seek may come only after you have physically moved the overwhelm out of your body. Notice if anything in your life needs to be let go. Releasing that which is no longer serving you frees up energy and space to allow your new creations to be born.

When overwhelmed give yourself compassion. Ask for guidance from Sprit about where you need upliftment.

The elements are always around us and within us. When we feel unclear, or we have become bogged down; using these or many other Natural Rhythms tools can bring clarity, lightness and ease back into your day.

Judy Keating Natural Rhythms™ facilitator and coach