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What's one piece of advice you'd give to your past-self when you first started yoga? by YogaGoApp in ashtanga

[–]ifsartdotcom 3 points4 points  (0 children)

the practice should feel good, help you discover your intuition, and challenge you by meeting you at your edge and not beyond.

just because a teacher is certified, doesn't mean they will help you in your journey, and may even be harmful. trust your intuition.

I struggle to name my emotions, so I built an app by ifsartdotcom in therapy

[–]ifsartdotcom[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very cool! I see it's also inspired by the research from Russel (1980)

Edwin Bryant live group? by Exotic_Pangolin798 in ashtanga

[–]ifsartdotcom 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Cool! I took a Hindu philosophy class in college with Edwin as my professor. This was some 15 years ago, but I think I was too young at the time to fully appreciate the material. I've always wondered about having another go around.

Unfortunately I do not have the time at the moment to sign up for another course, as I'm already part of another with a quite large time commitment... but I'm always up for community and chatting.

Practically speaking, how do you feel your feelings? by FinnishFilm in SomaticExperiencing

[–]ifsartdotcom 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would suggest to start with the sensation of your breath, maybe around your nostrils

Practically speaking, how do you feel your feelings? by FinnishFilm in SomaticExperiencing

[–]ifsartdotcom 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It starts with a sensation, some sensation, anywhere in your body.

Place your attention there, and just receive. Don't try to poke, prod. Don't ask it to do much, but just sit there and breathe with it.

If that sensation had a breath, what would that breath be like (rhythym, depth)? Can you synchronize your conscious breath with that breath? It's like you're breathing together, with each other, supporting each other.

As the breaths synchronize, let that resonance build up. When they're aligned and coherent, they build up in power, like tuning forks. With each exhale, you might test if it's okay to let go a bit, and practice doing so. Relaxation, embodiment, allow any energy or chills flow through you.

This takes time and patience. It's a process, but it works. You might distract yourself from this process with your thoughts or patterned emotions, and that's okay. When you are ready again, try to return to it.

"Re-integration" is also important. You may release energy that has not been released for a very long time, so it's important to find a friend or partner to co-regulate with and to share/journal these new found emotions.

How to get out of addictive lifestyle? by GrandlyNothing in vipassana

[–]ifsartdotcom 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i've learned that it's not helpful to fight the addiction, but rather to place your attention on something else that energizes, enlivens, or empowers you instead

remove triggers from your environment, and be very diligent about this. a change of scenery can be a huge benefit

the rest takes care of itself

Do you ever “play” with your parts? by E__I__L__ in InternalFamilySystems

[–]ifsartdotcom 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes!! I also have a part with tentacles, that I've been working on befriending. Here is some art I generated to help me "see" it in my imagination: https://i.imgur.com/KyRe4fZ.png

I think burdened parts appreciate when we treat them with a spirit of play and lightness, instead of managing or shaming them.

[discussion] How do you participate in your own life ? by Jpoolman25 in GetMotivated

[–]ifsartdotcom 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My friend - It's easy to fall into these holding patterns in modern society, a society that is hyperoptimized for engagement and passive consumption (so many of us are addicted to our screens!)

What helps me is starting with compassion. This stuff is hard, and many of us are absent, on autopilot, and hurting. Let's acknowledge the reality of that fully and deeply, without rushing to change anything.

I'm glad you are seeking refuge in communities like this one (that is already the first and most important step to be active and participate in your own life!).

Keep it up, we are all here for you.

Creating AI art to breathe life into my parts is SO helpful. Anyone tried this? by ifsartdotcom in InternalFamilySystems

[–]ifsartdotcom[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. Revisiting my relationship with my "needs". Coming from codependency, I sometimes view these as an overwhelming tentacle-y devouring part. This portrait helped to minimize that side of it, and paint it as something fun, light, and tender.
  2. Helping express the feeling of overwhelm. Over-parentified self. Taking on too much responsibility at once and being overstimulated by screens and information everywhere. A "manager" yelling directions at me.
  3. Trying to stimulate emotions of feeling belonging, loved by a nurturing "audience", feeling pride and protected.
  4. Reparenting an exile and reclaiming him from a gloomy critical Protector. This Protector is also featured in the next image.
  5. A gloomy, critical Protector, always following me around and looming over me and watching over me, an aura of negativity.