The first water session was in a pool at the hotel, on Day
1, after the morning’s dolphin swim. It was said that we’d just be getting used
to being in the water, getting used to treating and receiving in the water. It
was also said that this practice time might turn into an actual treatment
session, and to take as much or as little time as we needed. We were 2 groups
of 4 with occasional assistance from 1 teacher, 1 assistant, and 1
teacher-in-training.
My group actually got started without me, since I’d run back
to my room to get something. This was not the ideal way to begin, especially
since it was already appearing to be more of a therapeutic session than a
let’s-get-used-to-being-in-the-water type of thing. And the “lead” in my group
had been in the Bahamas all summer taking one of these classes after another. I
was surprised by some of the things happening, both with the client and with
how the other therapists responded. I felt like I had no idea what to do. And I
was unable to tune into the craniosacral rhythm. The teacher told me not do
anything then. To just keep my hands on and follow the body. She said I’d learn
through experience. I felt pretty useless though as I assisted the 3 sessions
before it was my turn. I even found myself thinking, “Great, I’ve got 3 more
days of this? This definitely isn’t for me. I just want more dolphin time!”
Well, although I’m still clear that being a therapist in the
water is not my calling, it turns out that being a client in the water just
might be.
My first session, this pool session, was like an epic
journey through time and space. It started out with me just floating on my back
with 3 pairs of hands supporting various parts of my body. At some point there
was a 4th pair of hands. I don’t know how long I spent just
breathing deeply and telling myself I was safe, but suddenly there was no more
mental chatter and no need for mantras or affirmations. I surrendered
completely to the water and the hands supporting me. And my body experienced a
kind of freedom that I’m not so sure it’s ever felt, and yet it felt so
familiar and so right. As my body elongated and contracted, twisted and turned,
arched and curled, I felt as though I were traveling through lifetimes. But it
wasn’t like past life flashes; it was far more abstract and even ancient, as if
I’d gone back to being some sort of microorganism not yet evolved into this
human state. For lack of a better word, it was AWESOME!
At times I felt like a baby in the womb. At times I felt
like a little old lady. At times I felt like an animal—ah, yes. The animal. At
some point something happened that resulted in what felt like my spine moving
back and forth in an s-like motion, and my whole body slithered through the
water. Whether that’s what it looked like, I don’t know, but it sure felt like
I was slithering and almost in a thrashing around type of way, like I was
trying to break free. Not necessarily break free from the hands that were
supporting and following me, but something deeper and again, more abstract. I
felt like a wild beast!
And then somebody put what felt like a thumb on the top
ridge of my bottom teeth applying very slight pressure. It had a soothing
effect, as well as sort of affirming this animal-like feeling that had been
awakened in me. So odd, and yet so perfect. Not sure why she did it or why it
had the effect that it did, but it was one of the highlights of the session.
And when I was done, I felt like a whole new person.
Lighter, brighter, happier, more excited, more free in my body and in my mind.
I was so eager to write about it and yet it’s taken me a week to find the time
and the words. I doubt this does it justice, but it’s a start….
Wow, just awesome ,so wonderful that you are sharing these experiences, I felt like I was there feeling all of this, just so amazing!!!
ReplyDelete