The women I see in my practice are devoted to resolving ALL issues related to body, food, and life. They work so hard I feel dizzy.
Imagination and play can be a powerful positive force to bring about change. It can also add elements of fun and joy to the change process which can be a lifelong unfolding of curiosity, discovery, flexibility and choice.
I recently traveled to New York City. Although I’m not unseasoned as a traveler I have rarely navigated the complexities of big city life. I have spent most of my life in the Midwest suburbs.
After spending a long morning in an insulated, frigid, windowless room, I and my body were craving fresh air, a walk, food, and alone time. I left the building without consultation and not knowing the area. The weather was how I like it: sunny and warm. I felt a smile on my face and in my body. I began to walk, paying close attention to [private_membership circle]which way I was turning so that I could find my way back. I am navigationally challenged.
The neighborhood did not feel familiar. The people, storefronts, sounds and smells were foreign. I began to sense tightness in my body; my neck, and shoulders felt tense. It felt like my tummy contained large bats flying around. I was anxious and afraid. I connected to my breath which has become a tool for me to calm myself as I attempted to ground enough to think clearly about what to do. I was hungry and determined to find something I could eat. I did not have much time.
Suddenly I imagined other times I have traveled in a foreign country experiencing the curiosity of another culture. And then I shifted to pretending that I was now in a foreign country. I noticed my body relax despite my awareness that I was playing a game with myself. When I looked at the area through the lenses of “foreign country” my relationship with fear and tension changed. When someone acknowledged me or tried to speak to me I chose to ignore them and adhere to my role of foreigner who does not speak the language. I felt a sense of calm return that allowed me to find my way first to food for lunch and then back to the meeting.
I found myself giggling with delight at the power of how my imagination and playfulness supported me through a personally anxious situation. While this situation may not be one of anxiety and fear for you, I suspect there may be other scenarios where this process could be applied. Play with it.
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Robin Okun, LMSW, is a certified Nia Instructor, Movement Therapist, Center for Eating Disorders, Director of Mindful Movement Studio, Ann Arbor, MI, 734-395-2624, robinokun@gmail.com
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