It was a hot day,the kind that might have kept people indoors, seeking shade and stillness. Yet, ten of us gathered for my second somatic movement session with the social prescribing group. I’ll admit, I felt a flicker of apprehension as I introduced a different lesson plan this time. But as the session unfolded, it became clear: this was exactly what we needed.
The Practice: Tension as a Teacher
We began with a meditation, but not the kind you might expect. This time, we explored tension,deliberately tensing individual parts of the body, holding, and then releasing. Feet first, then legs, hips, chest, belly, arms, and finally the head. Three times for each, we tensed and let go, helping everyone recognise the three-dimensional shape of where tension lives in the body,and the relief of releasing it.
By the time we reached the full-body tension and release, standing up, exhaling, and sitting back down,something shifted. People began to feel the duality of tension: how it can power us through, or how it can help us let go. It was a simple drill, but the insights it unlocked were profound.
The Movement: Play, Resistance, and Authenticity
As we moved into walking, I invited the group to drop their arms, shake their shoulders, and let out a hearty "ho-ho" to bring some joviality into the space. Then came the cross-room walk,ey e contact, smiles, hand on heart, handshakes, and even pulling faces at one another. But here’s the beauty: every individual had the freedom to turn the volume down if they needed to. No pressure, no expectation,just space to be exactly as they were.
The Reflection: Where Authenticity Lives
It was in the closing circle that the real magic unfolded. The room was filled with a kind of honesty that only comes when people feel truly safe. One participant shared how they simply couldn’t bring themselves to smile or make eye contact, it felt like resistance in their soul. So they didn’t. Instead, they returned to an earlier drill, one that did resonate with them. I reminded them: It’s okay not to do what you’re asked. If it doesn’t feel right, that’s your authenticity speaking. And if you want to push into that discomfort? That’s okay too.
Another participant, who had joined for their second session, shared how they’d pushed themselves a little further into their discomfort this time. It was a powerful moment for the group. We realised that by offering our vulnerability at the very beginning, when I ask everyone to share how they feel, or a physical niggle they’re carrying, we create a realm of safety. That safety allows us to touch the edges of our discomfort, knowing we always have a place to soften back into.
One person, in particular, offered a deeply moving reflection. They felt safe, unjudged, and seen. They resonated with the idea of being comfortable with what feels uncomfortable, and in doing so, recognised decades of behavioural patterns surfacing through these simple drills around tension and self-belief. It was a reminder that sometimes, the smallest practices can unlock the biggest revelations.
The Takeaway: Holding Space for Discovery
This session was a lesson for me in what can emerge when a group is open, curious, and willing to articulate their personal insights. I’m not there to tell people what to do. My role is to hold a presence, so that each person can find their own way inside the life they’re living.
What we built together today wasn’t just a session. It was a space where discomfort wasn’t something to avoid, but something to explore. Where resistance wasn’t a wall, but a doorway. And where authenticity wasn’t a destination, but a practice.