The following somatic exercise blends the narrative of Mark 4:35-41 with calming movement and grounding stillness.
Begin by standing with your feet flat on the floor, about shoulder width apart. Imagine that your body is a ship tossed about by the waves of the sea of life. Gently start by swaying back and forth. The wind is blowing the sails of your arms – side to side, side to side, side to side.
As you sway, notice where there is tightness in your body. Do you feel tension in your shoulders or your neck as you flow through the movement? Do you have pain in your spine? Do your hands feel tight? Are you clenching your fists or your jaw? What are you holding on to that you need to let the wind carry away?
As you continue swaying side to side, let it go. Imagine the wind getting caught underneath it and propelling it away from you.
As the wind moves your limbs from side to side, scan for negative emotions. Are you holding on to fears? Do you fear that the storm of life might blow you away? Are you holding your breath? Breathe. Inhale through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth with a sign. Let the wind carry your negative emotions away.
Asleep on a cushion in the stern of your boat is Jesus. He feels all the tension and emotion in your swaying body. He knows that you are struggling to let the wind take them away without your boat being blown over.
He calmly stands up and commands the storm of your life to cease.
“Silence! Be still!”
You stop swaying as the wind dies down. You stand so still. Inhale through your nose and hold it. One. Two. Three. Exhale through your mouth with a slow sigh. Scan your body again. What tensions and negative emotions remain? If anything is left after the storm, trust that Jesus will take care of it. Have faith that He can calm the storm of your life whenever you ask.
From your standing position, lower yourself to your knees and prostrate yourself, forehead to the floor, arms out in front of you. Ask.
Holy Father, I bring myself humbly before you. You have the power to calm the great windstorms that arise in my life. Help me with the tension I carry in my body. Erase the fear and negative emotions I hold on to. Let me trust that you are working calmly in the stern of my ship. Help me to have faith that you are in control of all things.
From your position on the ground, inhale one more time. Hold it. One. Two. Three. Now exhale gently through your mouth with a sigh. Push yourself up off the floor with your palms and rest on your knees if that is comfortable for you. Place your hands together in a prayer position and rest them in front of your chest.
Repeat after me: Amen.
