Stage One - Pain and Suffering
Some of us have an open and outward expression of the pain we are going through.
Some of us are stoic in our approach to masking what we actually feel inside.
Either way, the image to the right shows exactly what the nervous system looks like during a sympathetic state.
This stage is best represented when one or more of the following is present:
Feeling emotional or physical pain
Using language like:
“This sucks!”
“How can this be happening to me?!”
“I’m in so much pain right now!”
Cannot see past our current experience
Instructions
Best body position: Laying on your back with your knees bent or straight. Let it be easy and comfortable. It can be done on almost any surface, but if you choose a firmer one, then you will be able to feel the breath pressure easier.
Hand position: one hand over the other with fingers together, including the thumbs. (Not interlaced). The purpose of this is to concentrate the energy and awareness over one area. This hand position does just that. Elbows can rest to the side of the body with the wrists bent. But, if you feel it is necessary to let them rise up, then you may do so. Let the weight of the hands be firm but soft enough to allow for the body part underneath to rise with the breath.
Hand placement: stage one focuses on two main body parts.
Number one: The sternum/breastbone/Heart Chakra
Number two: below the belly button/on top of the bladder/Sacral Chakra
Breathing:
Inhale through the nose
Exhale through the mouth
Exercise
Part 1
Start with hand placement number one (heart chakra)
Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth
Your breath pressure should be concentrated underneath your hands
As you continue to breath, notice how easy or difficult it is to breath at this area
Note: Do not force your breath to be any way other than what it is at any point during all these exercises.
Notice and remember the rhythm, pattern and flow of breathing over this area
Continue for a set of time like 30 seconds to a minute or a set of 15 breath cycles.
Move to hand placement number two (sacral chakra) and repeat these steps
Part 2
Now compare! Which one had the most ease? Which one seemed the most mechanical and difficult?
Put your hands over the EASIEST area.
Go through another set of breathing cycles at the place of ease and pay attention to the flow and energy.
Now place your hands over the difficult area. As you do so, inhale through the nose, exhale out the mouth and say the following affirmation out loud:
“Nothing works for me at this time.”
Without trying to change anything, take your next breath in and exhale. Notice what has changed over the previously difficult area.
Take a few more breath cycles over this area. Notice the rhythm, flow and pattern. Whether or not it has changed, continuing paying attention.
Now put your hands back to the place of ease.
Take another few breath cycles over this area. Notice and pay attention to the rhythm, flow and pattern, because you are now going to share the free-flowing energy and information with the place of difficultly.
Switch your hand position once more and go through a few breath cycles.
Part 3
At this point you will either feel a difference or no difference at all at the place of difficulty. Either way is okay!
If you felt an energy shift to a state of ease, then you can either stop the exercise now OR continue working other these two areas for however long you think necessary.
If you did not feel anything different, then please continue down this list.
Note: if you notice a small and even subtle change, then that is good enough. Do not think it needs to be some radical shift. Progress is progress.
Working with the same pattern as before, use the hand placement with the body part that has the most ease. Go through a few breath cycles and prepare to share that information and energy with the blocked/difficult spot by paying attention to the rhythm, flow and pattern of the placement of ease.
Once you are ready, place your hands on the blocked/difficult area. Breath in through the nose, exhale through the mouth and say the following affirmation:
“At this point and time, I am completely helpless”
Breath in and out again without trying to change anything
Notice any change(s) that occur
At this point, you may choose to continue working between these two areas or stop now and practice later.
Special Note
If you feel that it is difficult to even place your hands over these areas and you need to be one step behind this exercise, then place your hands over your face or on top of your head.
Inhale through the nose and bend your head and neck gently forward.
Exhale through the mouth and extended your head/neck back gently as well.
Go through a few breath cycles, place your mental awareness and attention over one area at a time and state the forementioned affirmations out loud in the same order.
After a few rounds, take a break and practice the original exercises later