I really loved this post. I’ve done worship dance for years and often have to explain the benefits to those who don’t “get it.” Back in the fall I had the opportunity to bring my faith-based dance group to a women’s prison for a workshop. We were able to bring joy into a place where sorrow and trauma is the norm. Lots of healing for those ladies, as well as for us.
Carol, thanks for sharing about your dance group - that sounds like it would have been a powerful experience for all invovled. Have you written about it yet? If so, add your link here!
This was a powerful practice for me, Christine. I do believe that our stance, or posture, affects how we feel, as as being open in our stature in savasana in yoga, and uncrossing our legs and arms as we sit and listen to someone, so we can be more receptive. I found the body prayer quite profound and I will add this into my routine on a regular basis I think!
Oh, I didn't even think about the uncrossing of the legs while listening - that's a great point. I'm going to talk a bit about yoga in my follow up post to this in two weeks, so I'll be curious what you think and you'll have to add what postures you find powerful!
Oh Christine, this beautiful reflection is so timely as I’ve been dealing with a running injury - again! - and feel like I’m needing to listen to and honor my body in a deeper way. Love the body prayer you shared and I look forward to your further reflections! Thank you!
Oh not again! I'm sorry your body is screaming at you, but glad you're listening to it. It's especially hard when we want to move to connect with ourselves and can't due to injury. I hope you find the rest you need in this season.
I love this writing piece, Christine! I can relate to the physical rigidity inhabited in one's body coming from a formerly evangelical background as well. Supporting myself and others unwinding from purity culture in particular has been a big challenge coming from that background.
As a long-time physical therapist with a deep spirituality, the body-inclusivity feels so essential. Sometimes I think I even might have gone into PT on a somewhat subconscious level in part to recover my body as a part of my human-being-ness.
These days I use somatic or body inclusivity in spirituality as a sort of litmus test of truth (at least for me). If the spirituality integrates the physicality/ body as a part of the core faith, then it's worth exploring. If not, I'm curious as to why not and also a bit guarded. Of course, unpacking what I just said is a part of my second half of life work at this point. I'm not sure entirely what it means, but it feels true as I sort out my own history. Thank you for writing this!
Something else you might appreciate was how my Physical Therapist helped me recover. I kept referring to my shoulder as my "bad shoulder" and he said, "We don't call it that - it's not bad, it's healing and is getting stronger!"
Yes to your PT. Of course this requires a bit more unpacking, but I do think our bodies hear us and can sometimes be responsive accordingly... Fascinating!
I'm so glad this resonated with you. In my next post (2 weeks from now), I'm delving into more practices to cultivate connection with your body from a spiritual stance - I'll be very interested in what you would add to that list.
And wow, purity culture really does a number on us, doesn't it? I originally had a few extra paragraphs ranting against it, but then realized, fortunately, that's not everyone's journey. There are some substack wrtiters really unpacking that and here's a great list of books (I've read a few, not all) on the topic - https://sojo.net/articles/healing-leaving-recover-purity-culture-Christian
I loved learning more about you in this! These ideas remind me so much of yoga as well. When I’ve taught trauma informed yoga, I share and try to teach many of the concepts you mention. I love reframing and thinking of this in a spiritual context. I’m going to share this with my Dad who is having a hard time health wise right now. I know these words could be useful to him right now.
Thanks Lindsey. I hope this will be helpful to your dad. And stay tuned, this week I'm going to feature something about grief yoga in particular - I'll be curious to hear your thoughts as I was amazed at the results.
This is a really great piece. I love your embrace of all the possibilities of illness and staying in the mystery of it all. I look forward to reading more of your work!
I have been saving this letter in my inbox for the perfect moment to really sink in and be present to receive your words. Tonight made itself prime-time for me to be here. Thank you for sharing so openly about your shoulder, and about your epilepsy diagnosis. <3 I also really enjoyed learning about the AAAA prayer and will be trying it out!
Thank you, thank you, Rev. Christine! I loved this post! I have just finished praying Julian of Norwich's body prayer with you. I so appreciate you including the video. I stood up in my pj's, before the French windows and prayed through your video twice. I am going to meet several new women today at a luncheon and it has helped prepare my body and spirit to "receive" what the Holy Spirit has in store for me.
Oh tres bien! J'espère que vous passerez un merveilleux déjeuner! And you'll have to tell me how to say Holy Spirit in French, because I don't remember that one!
I've started using the sign of the cross this year as part of my worship and it's been a really small and meaningful way to use my body. I really appreciate the quote on trauma as well, The Body Keeps the Score helped me tremendously to understand my own experiences with grief.
Oh Emily, I'm intrigued by your use of the sign of the cross in worship! Have you written about that yet? And isn't it wild the ways in which trauma shows up. Reading Body Keeps the Score was a revelation for me. In my next post I am going to write about grief yoga - a new-to-me practice that completely blew me away!
I use those four words and motions at the end of each yoga flow I do. It is my prayer at the end of a flow transitioning into what the day ahead has in store.
Oh how cool that you incorporate the body prayer into your yoga practice. My next post will talk more about the power of yoga, I'll be curious to hear your thoughts on it!
I really loved this post. I’ve done worship dance for years and often have to explain the benefits to those who don’t “get it.” Back in the fall I had the opportunity to bring my faith-based dance group to a women’s prison for a workshop. We were able to bring joy into a place where sorrow and trauma is the norm. Lots of healing for those ladies, as well as for us.
Carol, thanks for sharing about your dance group - that sounds like it would have been a powerful experience for all invovled. Have you written about it yet? If so, add your link here!
Not yet. But I hope to do a series at some point about my whole journey in dancing for God. I’ll try to remember to ping you when I send it out.
Yes, can't wait to read that!
This was a powerful practice for me, Christine. I do believe that our stance, or posture, affects how we feel, as as being open in our stature in savasana in yoga, and uncrossing our legs and arms as we sit and listen to someone, so we can be more receptive. I found the body prayer quite profound and I will add this into my routine on a regular basis I think!
Oh, I didn't even think about the uncrossing of the legs while listening - that's a great point. I'm going to talk a bit about yoga in my follow up post to this in two weeks, so I'll be curious what you think and you'll have to add what postures you find powerful!
Oh I will for sure!
Oh Christine, this beautiful reflection is so timely as I’ve been dealing with a running injury - again! - and feel like I’m needing to listen to and honor my body in a deeper way. Love the body prayer you shared and I look forward to your further reflections! Thank you!
Oh not again! I'm sorry your body is screaming at you, but glad you're listening to it. It's especially hard when we want to move to connect with ourselves and can't due to injury. I hope you find the rest you need in this season.
Thank you so much, Christine!
I love this writing piece, Christine! I can relate to the physical rigidity inhabited in one's body coming from a formerly evangelical background as well. Supporting myself and others unwinding from purity culture in particular has been a big challenge coming from that background.
As a long-time physical therapist with a deep spirituality, the body-inclusivity feels so essential. Sometimes I think I even might have gone into PT on a somewhat subconscious level in part to recover my body as a part of my human-being-ness.
These days I use somatic or body inclusivity in spirituality as a sort of litmus test of truth (at least for me). If the spirituality integrates the physicality/ body as a part of the core faith, then it's worth exploring. If not, I'm curious as to why not and also a bit guarded. Of course, unpacking what I just said is a part of my second half of life work at this point. I'm not sure entirely what it means, but it feels true as I sort out my own history. Thank you for writing this!
Something else you might appreciate was how my Physical Therapist helped me recover. I kept referring to my shoulder as my "bad shoulder" and he said, "We don't call it that - it's not bad, it's healing and is getting stronger!"
Yes to your PT. Of course this requires a bit more unpacking, but I do think our bodies hear us and can sometimes be responsive accordingly... Fascinating!
I'm so glad this resonated with you. In my next post (2 weeks from now), I'm delving into more practices to cultivate connection with your body from a spiritual stance - I'll be very interested in what you would add to that list.
And wow, purity culture really does a number on us, doesn't it? I originally had a few extra paragraphs ranting against it, but then realized, fortunately, that's not everyone's journey. There are some substack wrtiters really unpacking that and here's a great list of books (I've read a few, not all) on the topic - https://sojo.net/articles/healing-leaving-recover-purity-culture-Christian
Ah, thank you for the list, Christine! Always collecting resources. I really appreciated the book Pure by Linda Kay Klein.
lovely, thank you!
What a beautiful article! I love the prayer! 💙
Thank you! I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts on embodiment through yoga and gardening too!
I loved learning more about you in this! These ideas remind me so much of yoga as well. When I’ve taught trauma informed yoga, I share and try to teach many of the concepts you mention. I love reframing and thinking of this in a spiritual context. I’m going to share this with my Dad who is having a hard time health wise right now. I know these words could be useful to him right now.
Thanks Lindsey. I hope this will be helpful to your dad. And stay tuned, this week I'm going to feature something about grief yoga in particular - I'll be curious to hear your thoughts as I was amazed at the results.
This is a really great piece. I love your embrace of all the possibilities of illness and staying in the mystery of it all. I look forward to reading more of your work!
Thanks so much Priscilla! I look forward to reading your work too and just subscribed.
Thank you! 😉
I have been saving this letter in my inbox for the perfect moment to really sink in and be present to receive your words. Tonight made itself prime-time for me to be here. Thank you for sharing so openly about your shoulder, and about your epilepsy diagnosis. <3 I also really enjoyed learning about the AAAA prayer and will be trying it out!
Oh I'm glad you were able to set aside the time to read my words. I'll be curious to hear what you think of the body prayer once you try it out!
Thank you, thank you, Rev. Christine! I loved this post! I have just finished praying Julian of Norwich's body prayer with you. I so appreciate you including the video. I stood up in my pj's, before the French windows and prayed through your video twice. I am going to meet several new women today at a luncheon and it has helped prepare my body and spirit to "receive" what the Holy Spirit has in store for me.
Merci, Mon Chér Amie
Oh tres bien! J'espère que vous passerez un merveilleux déjeuner! And you'll have to tell me how to say Holy Spirit in French, because I don't remember that one!
Christine, it's so good to 'see' you through your video. I'm bookmarking this because I want to come back and sit with you here for awhile ...
Thanks for watching the video. It felt a little vulnerable to include, but figured a post about embodiment deserved one!
I've started using the sign of the cross this year as part of my worship and it's been a really small and meaningful way to use my body. I really appreciate the quote on trauma as well, The Body Keeps the Score helped me tremendously to understand my own experiences with grief.
Oh Emily, I'm intrigued by your use of the sign of the cross in worship! Have you written about that yet? And isn't it wild the ways in which trauma shows up. Reading Body Keeps the Score was a revelation for me. In my next post I am going to write about grief yoga - a new-to-me practice that completely blew me away!
I haven’t written about it yet but you’ve planted the seed! Looking forward to your post about grief yoga, sign me up to learn more.
I appreciate this so much, and the work you put in to introducing complicated ideas in a meaningful and practical way. God bless!
Thanks Nicole! I look forward to potentially getting to know you more! And yes, I love practicality!
I really enjoyed this reflection. Thank you!
Thanks Erin! No doubt you could write a lot about spiritual embodiment in the early years of motherhood!
So good, thank you, Christine!
Thanks Nikki! I know that you are always listening to the whispers of others!
Amen.
I use those four words and motions at the end of each yoga flow I do. It is my prayer at the end of a flow transitioning into what the day ahead has in store.
Oh how cool that you incorporate the body prayer into your yoga practice. My next post will talk more about the power of yoga, I'll be curious to hear your thoughts on it!
If you want any thoughts prior to, I'd be happy to do so. :)