Creating Space Within: Finding Length Beyond the Constraints of the Past

How letting things sink in and embracing the length we seek can help us rediscover our true, uncompressed state.

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Golden evening light casts a soft glow over the rugged coastline of Norway, where rocky hills meet the tranquil waters, captured by Jay Siegmann.

Hey there, dearest Lionies,

Have you ever felt like you’re living in a body that’s too small for the emotions, experiences, and memories you carry? Like your physical form somehow lacks the capacity to hold the fullness of your being? For years, I experienced my body as a tight, constricted space—a space that was shrinking further each time I faced a new wave of stress or trauma. Each muscle, each joint, and each bone seemed to echo the tension I internalized, creating a sense of being crumpled from within.

It wasn’t until I began working with an Alexander Technique coach—committing to weekly sessions over the past 1.5 years—that I started to truly unravel this internal compression. Learning to think length is a practice that requires patience and dedication; coaching alone cannot shift these deeply ingrained patterns. It’s the daily repetition, the steady invitation for the body to re-expand, that begins to release the constrictions trauma imprints on our form. The process asks us to be present with our body’s structure: to be aware of the natural length of each bone, like the femur, and to think it longer. Slowly, the fascia and muscles—once shortened and tight—start to remember their original state, creating more space.

Thinking length is not about forcibly stretching or forcing change. Instead, it’s about allowing: visualizing the length of our bones, noticing where tension resides, and gently guiding the body back to its inherent shape. Each moment spent thinking length creates tiny shifts, each breath brings more openness, and each thought of expansion invites the body to release a bit more.

This is no passive transformation, nor is it a quick fix. It’s a deliberate, thoughtful process of letting go and reclaiming the space within. When I let something “sink in,” it’s not about passively accepting, but actively inviting the experience to permeate my awareness—to ripple through me like a pebble dropped into a pond. I started to see these ripples as new possibilities: each one expanding my capacity to hold myself with a little more grace, each one teaching me that the length I seek is not somewhere “out there”—it’s already within me, waiting to be acknowledged.

Today’s intention and affirmation are rooted in this deep practice of creating space. They remind me to be patient, to let the insights and experiences of each moment fully settle into my being, and to recognize that the expansion I yearn for is already present, just waiting to be embodied.

🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑

Intention: Let Something Sink In

Letting something sink in refers to the practice of consciously absorbing experiences, thoughts, or emotions to facilitate deeper understanding and emotional integration. It involves creating spaciousness within oneself, slowing the pace of reaction, and inviting true internalization rather than intellectual processing alone. While this concept does not have a direct one-to-one definition in Buddhist scriptures, it is related to samatha (tranquility meditation) and satipatthana(establishing mindfulness), which focus on steadying the mind and cultivating a deep, embodied awareness.

Inspirations for Achieving This Intention

1. Engage in Sensory-Anchor Practices: Instead of traditional breathwork or sitting meditation, try engaging your senses to ground yourself. For example, immerse your hands in cool water, focus on the way it moves over your skin, and stay with the sensation. This focus anchors your awareness and prevents mental over-processing, giving experiences the space to sink in through non-verbal channels.

2. Use Metaphorical Visualization: Imagine your experiences as pebbles gently dropping into a pond. Visualize how the ripples spread out, affecting the entire pond. Each time you notice a new thought or emotion surfacing, picture it as another pebble, and see where the ripples intersect. This allows you to see the interconnectedness of your experiences and helps integrate them holistically.

3. Incorporate Micro-Movement Meditations: Choose subtle, repetitive physical movements that match your internal state—like swaying, rocking, or slowly nodding. This can mirror the process of ‘sinking in’ on a cellular level, enhancing a somatic connection with your experience. Think of it as rhythmically “inviting” what’s arising to settle into your body.

4. Use Creative Sensory Displacement: Change the medium through which you process an experience. If you’ve been talking through something, switch to drawing abstract shapes, using colors that match your feelings. If you’ve been reading or writing, switch to molding clay or arranging natural elements (like stones or leaves) into patterns. This allows experiences to take on new forms, revealing deeper layers and insights.

5. Practice 'Walking Backwards' Reflection: Literally or metaphorically, spend a few moments walking backward while reflecting on an experience. This unusual shift can disrupt habitual thinking patterns and create an opportunity to revisit the experience with fresh eyes. The physical reversal symbolizes the un-layering of preconceptions and offers a unique way to let thoughts or emotions sink in more authentically.

Systemic Question for Self-Reflection

What new, unexpected channels or sensory modalities could I explore to facilitate a fuller integration of what is seeking to be absorbed within me?

Today’s Affirmation: I Am the Length I Seek

I am the embodiment of the expansion I yearn for. With each deliberate movement and breath, I stretch beyond the constraints of my past, releasing the tension that once held me captive. I recognize that I am not separate from the length I seek, but rather the living expression of its potential.

In this present moment, I am lengthening into my full presence, creating a space where healing and awareness can coexist. My stature is not determined by external measurements, but by how authentically I allow my body to align with my inner truth. As I consciously inhabit my body, I rediscover my capacity to extend gracefully into the life I am creating.

Through gentle awareness and patience, I honor my unique alignment. I am learning to let go of rigid expectations and embrace a natural unfolding that respects my body’s wisdom. With every release, I invite in new possibilities for connection and movement, trusting that each moment of growth brings me closer to the fullness of who I am.

I am the universe experiencing its boundless nature through the length of my body, deeply appreciative of this opportunity to explore life through the sacred architecture of my form. In acknowledging the intricate interplay of muscle, bone, and spirit, I affirm the freedom that comes from knowing I am as expansive as the space I create within myself.

Key Takeaway

The affirmation "I Am the Length I Seek" invites us to recognize that our true expansion and growth come from within, and that the length we yearn for is not external but an embodiment of how fully we inhabit our own presence and potential.

The essence of this affirmation is that true expansion happens when we align with our inner truth, allowing ourselves to grow and move gracefully into our fullest form.

Systemic Questions

Reflective Question:

What parts of my life, relationships, or decisions feel ‘compressed’ or restricted, and how might I create more space within myself to allow them to unfold naturally?
Hint: Consider moments where you felt limited, rushed, or held back. Reflect on whether these limits came from external factors or internal expectations. Ask yourself: “What might happen if I allowed more time and patience for these areas to expand?”

Exploratory Question:

How does my relationship with my body’s physical space—its posture, movements, and sensations—reflect my current state of emotional and mental alignment?
Hint: Notice if certain physical sensations (like tightness, heaviness, or ease) correspond to specific emotions or thoughts. Explore what your body is communicating and how shifting into a more relaxed state changes your emotional or mental landscape.

🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑

Closing Thoughts

Working with the Alexander Technique and learning to think length has fundamentally transformed how I inhabit my body and my life. It’s not just about physical space, but about rediscovering how to exist without the limitations of trauma, without the old stories that keep us small.

Take a moment to let today’s intention and affirmation settle, feel where your body wants to expand, and gently think that space open. Let these words not just be something you read, but an experience you invite to shape how you inhabit yourself today.

With reverence and warmth,
Jay

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References for Embarking into your Alexander-Technique Coaching Endeavour

If you're looking to find a certified Alexander Technique coach, here are the main societies in the US, UK, and Germany that can help you connect with experienced teachers:

United States

The American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT) is the primary professional association in the US. With over 500 certified teachers, AmSAT ensures that each member has completed at least 1,600 hours of rigorous training over a minimum of three years. You can explore more about their work and find a teacher through their website here​(ASAT).

United Kingdom

The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT) is the oldest and largest professional association in the world, established in 1958. It has over 2,500 members globally, and all teaching members adhere to strict professional standards. To find a STAT-qualified teacher, visit their site here​(Alexander Technique).

Europe and Germany

1. The Alexander Alliance Europe, which offers personal development programs, workshops, and teacher training courses for over 40 years. More information can be found on their website here​(alexander-alliance).

2. The German Society for the Alexander Technique (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Alexander-Technik e.V. - ATVD), which is dedicated to promoting the technique and connecting certified practitioners across Germany. To explore their directory of teachers and learn more, visit their official website here. (https://www.alexander-technik.org)

Each of these organizations provides a structured approach to finding a certified Alexander Technique coach, along with additional resources and information to get started.

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