Day 15 :: De-Armoring
Compliments of @wiinonaofelia
We can’t talk about pleasure without acknowledging pain. The two are intrinsically linked — take the photo on this post, for example, is she in pleasure or in pain? The extent to which we experience pleasure is mirrored by our ability to presence our pains.
We armor ourselves to protect from trauma, tension, harmful thought-patterns, and uncomfortable experiences throughout our lifetime. And although it serves it’s purpose at the time, it eventually hardens and desensitizes the physical body, effectively numbing us from both pain and pleasure.
De-armoring is a way to open up and release the armor that hinders you from being in alignment and control over your life. It is a deep practice of liberation, meeting yourself in your wholeness, pain and pleasure alike. The more we practice the release of our armor, the deeper in contact we come with our true joy, intuition, and sense of aliveness from deep within.
So how do you work with your pain body in order to overcome & integrate traumatic experiences, expanding into your pleasure? Here are two practices:
De-Armoring Practice:
During a pleasure practice, either solo or with your partner, penetrate into points of physical tension or emotional pains when they arise in order to help them to release (kind of like using trigger point with deep tissue massage). Go slow. Breathe. Pendulate back to a positive sensation if it’s too intense. The goal is to re-attune to your body, notice what is present, where it’s located, and ultimately re-affirm safety.
Yin/Yang Expression Practice:
The Yin process: Sit with the painful emotions when they arise, allow yourself to feel what they symbolize you are wanting or needing (love, safety, security).
The Yang process: release through embodiment, kick, scream, yell, cry, shout.
Integration: Sit with yourself in loving compassion, allowing the experience of the emotion to fully absorb and release.
**Note** Both practices can be triggering and may need the guidance from a professional if there is unresolved trauma. Proceed with caution — only progressing as it feels appropriate to your body.
