The power of language for healing
A journey to wellness from a mother, yoga teacher, entrepreneur.
On the first day of my retreat in India, the teacher asked us to write on a piece of paper our intention for our work and practice during the coming days. Jet lagged, and without thinking that it would be shared with the group, I was 100% honest and wrote what I felt at that moment. I wanted to feel better and get rid of that horrible bloat!
I am not usually a group retreat material (I prefer mine bespoke and one-to-one), but there is a certain value and power in a group dynamic, especially when that group is comprised of women only.
Everyone, one by one, read their intentions out loud, all beautifully written and emotional. I was giggling, partly embarrassed, partly thinking my words were hilarious and I would be ruining the moment, apologising in advance. And then it happened.
On that day, at the beach shala, surrounded by nature, sitting in a circle of yet-to-get-to-know women, I read my words aloud and burst into tears. I could barely finish the sentence!
What has just happened?
There is power in language. It’s no coincidence that it’s only when we acknowledge and name what is happening inside, when we bring that awareness to the surface, instead of keeping it buried and silenced, THAT’s when the healing truly begins.
And when you say it out loud to someone who listens, and you feel understood, lightbulbs light up, and you get your “epiphany”.
My epiphany was that as I have been navigating a wealth of women’s health issues since August, I have been putting on a brave face and that swelling was the tip of the iceberg, and it was not funny anymore. And I gave myself some grace.
Ladies, do not suffer in silence.
As women, we are conditioned to dismiss our women’s health issues and make a joke out of it (I am seeing the trend on social media where the husband and wife make fun of her being “hormonal” when expecting her period, for instance). When things are bad, we are still expected to “grin and bear it” and get on with our lives, like this isn’t happening.
It’s okay not to be okay. Self-compassion is the first step in healing.
Love,
Mara