How to Heal Shadows

What do I mean by Shadows?

Like physical shadows, the darker emotions that we mask and bury deep within our minds can obscure the path towards personal growth. These undesirable behaviors or expressions of emotional wounds are Shadows.

Unfortunately, we’ve been taught to avoid pain at all costs. Even talking about our TRUE emotional states is often considered embarrassing or impolite. I had no emotional awareness for years and naturally suppressed all negative emotions or thoughts that I deemed as “not acceptable”.

When left suppressed, these stressful emotions create biochemical responses within the body and eventually begin to change our biology. Without introspection into the unconscious side of our minds, we cannot live a balanced existence.

How do Shadows effect our well-being?

Avoiding shadow work can lead to a cascade of mystery ailments and symptoms such as:

• Digestive disorders
• Migraines
• Body aches + pains
• Tension in the back or neck
• Decreased libido/infertility
• Chronic fatigue/insomnia
• Anxiety/OCD
• Depression
• Weight gain
• Hair loss
• Compromised immune system
• Auto-Immune conditions

That list could go on and on, with numerous indicators stemming from accumulated stress and emotional trauma.

How do we help heal our Shadows?

Breathwork was the first modality of healing that allowed me to finally face and fully feel all these darker emotions. Ultimately, by using the breath’s power, I was able to heal my physical body from several ailments.

Since many of us have never accessed our emotional bodies in this way, breathwork can be a raw, vulnerable, and emotionally intense experience. It’s not a glamorous process. Shadow healing takes courage and commitment. It requires an integrative approach to physical, mental and emotional healing. However, the level of self-discovery and inner-transformation on the other side is always worth it.

Freeing ourselves of the heavy weights that we’ve been carrying for years and becoming comfortable with our shadows isn’t a fantasy or impossible. It’s a beautiful journey of awakening that I’m humbled to guide breathers through each and everyday.

If you feel called to find more resources about how we can embrace all of the dark aspects of ourselves to come back into wholeness and empowerment, try listening to these educational podcasts:

• How to Heal Your Shadow Self 
• Healing through Conscious Breathwork, the Emotional, Spiritual & Physical Benefits of this Empowering Modality

When we integrate our Shadows, and shine light on our darkness, true mental, emotional and physical healing begins.