My First Experience Of Permission To Let Go

When I was four years old we had a bedtime ritual at my house that started with my mom giving me a bath. Before getting in the tub I would “go potty” and then get in the tub. Getting used to the water and with a little encouragement from my mom, I would start to let go of my muscles and relax.

A moment of fear came over me where I could feel myself needing to pee just a little bit more, but was afraid that I would be in trouble for peeing in the tub.

I looked to my mom who instead of being upset with me, she told me it was OK to let go. She told me that sometimes, this happens when one gets into the tub and the water is warm.

Please understand that taking this out of context does not mean that as a child I would pee in the bathtub. It’s really a memory of being given permission by my mom to let go, to release and relax.

As a Psychotherapist and Yoga Instructor one of the things I work on with my clients is learning how to re-regulate their nervous systems. Simply put teaching people how to soften in their shoulders and let go of muscular engagement, this helps clients tune in more intimately with body sensation, emotional awareness and personal needs. I have found that it also helps to invite clients to close their eyes intentionally at the beginning of our session, where when we eliminate one sense all of our other senses light up. By eliminating our sight we tune in so much more to what we’re hearing, what we’re feeling or what we’re sensing and tasting. This is one of the many ways to deepen connection to the soul. So whether you let go in the bathtub, let go on your mat or let go with your therapist or good friend, It’s a beautiful way to give yourself some permission for deeper connection.

Thank you for reading this blog please like and share!

Sheila Maitland, LCMHC-S, CSAT