The unexpected gifts of pain are often overlooked when we focus solely on getting rid of it. Instead of embracing the pain as part of our experience, we resist it and view it as an enemy that must be eliminated. This resistance is rooted in the belief that healing means the disappearance of symptoms. However, healing is not a final destination but a continuous invitation to remember who we are and to love ourselves in every moment.

When we approach pain with love, we give it a home in our hearts instead of attacking it. We hold it in our vast hearts and embrace it for what it is: a powerful expression of life itself, even if it is unwanted or uncomfortable. Pain is not against us but a frightened part of ourselves that needs love and inclusion. It is a teacher that invites us to be present and to appreciate life in all its forms.

Instead of rushing to label pain as negative and seeking to transcend or obliterate it, we should be kinder towards it and get curious about its fire and ferocity. Pain may hold its own original medicine and teachings of slowness and presence, which we need to acknowledge and honour.
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True healing involves being aligned with 'what is' and embracing the present moment. Presence is the greatest kind of medicine, and it frees us from victimhood. When we stop focusing on getting rid of pain and start embracing it as part of our experience, we open ourselves up to unexpected gifts and deeper healing. So let us bow before our pain and embrace it for as long as it is here, knowing that it may just be what healing actually feels like.

​Your body has the ability to both heal and harm itself, and the autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role in this process by switching between two modes: healing and survival. 

Many people are unaware that they can activate the healing mode by adjusting their tongue posture. By placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth, specifically on the soft palate, you can stimulate cranial nerves that signal the brain to remain calm and promote healing. This action also supports the vagus nerve, which is responsible for sending calming signals to the organs and immune system.

Additionally, practicing proper tongue posture can strengthen the muscles in the neck and promote nasal breathing, which helps improve overall health. 
To get started, try sealing your tongue to the roof of your mouth with the tip resting behind your front upper teeth and the sides and back pressing against the palate. Focus on activating all three points and feel the muscles in your neck and throat engage. 
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How did it feel?

Our friends at Built for Motion offer an excellent way to mobilise the thoracic spine while protecting the lumbar spine from rotation: