The Stories Our Bodies Carry: Movement as Self Expression.

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Our bodies are storytellers. Long before we find the words to express our experiences, our bodies carry them. They hold the weight of our joys and sorrows, triumphs and heartbreaks. Every gesture, every posture, every inhale and exhale speak volumes about the life we have lived.

When we are at ease, our bodies move with ease, our breath is deep, our shoulders relax, and our steps feel light. But when we carry stress, grief, or the invisible burdens of unspoken emotions, it shows. Our breath becomes shallow, our muscles tighten, and our movement becomes restricted. We fold into ourselves, contracting, creating the illusion of smallness, as if disappearing will somehow make the weight easier to bear.

And yet, movement, when done with intention, has the power to unravel these stories.. When we move with awareness, we begin to unearth what has been buried in our bones. A gentle stretch can awaken a forgotten part of ourselves. A deep breath can remind us that there is space within us, even when life feels constricting. The way we move becomes an act of self-inquiry, a way of asking: What am I holding? What am I ready to release?

Too often, we worry more about what we look like in a pose than how we feel. We judge the shape of our bodies instead of listening to their wisdom. But intentional movement also asks for acceptance of all that we are. The body can be a source of shame, of discomfort, of stories we wish we could rewrite. Yet when we move it in a way that is gentle and patient, we offer it something radical, compassion. In that space of kindness, the body begins to let go of what it has been holding onto for so long.

This is why yin yoga is so powerful. It is not just about the shapes we take; it is about what those shapes reveal. It is about learning to sit with ourselves, to listen, to let the body tell its story without judgment. To soften the spaces where we have held tension for too long. To reclaim the parts of ourselves that have been forgotten in the rush of life.

And when we do this in community, when we breathe, move, and share space together, something shifts. The unspoken stories we carry begin to find resonance in others. We realise we are not alone.

This is the theme of our next Yin Yoga & Tea Sharing workshop: Movement as an Expression of Self.

I invite you to step onto the mat, to breathe, to soften, and to listen. To move, not just for the sake of moving, but as an act of self-expression, of self-discovery. To allow your breath and movement to be a reflection of your unique expression of self. To honor your body’s wisdom and embrace yourself fully, just as you are.

Join us as we explore movement as a language of healing, connection, and remembrance.

With Gratitude

The Holding Space 🧡