In a recent episode of the Navigating Baby Loss Podcast, I interviewed Sarah Jane Smith, an embodiment teacher and coach who helps women who are childless not by choice integrate grief and open up to life’s possibilities. Here are some key insights from their conversation:
The Journey of Grief and Healing
Sarah Jane shared her personal experience with multiple pregnancy losses, unexplained infertility, and a hysterectomy that ended her journey to have children. She emphasized that the path of grief isn’t linear, but rather a “big jumbled mess.” Through her struggles, she realized the importance of healing her relationship with her body, an aspect often overlooked in pregnancy loss and childlessness support.
Reconnecting with Your Body
Sarah Jane introduced the three foundations of trauma-informed yoga:
- Recognizing you have a body
- Befriending your body
- Using your body as a resource
She stressed the importance of reconnecting with basic bodily sensations, like distinguishing between hunger and thirst. This reconnection can be especially powerful for those who have experienced pregnancy loss and feel disconnected or angry with their bodies.
Finding Beauty in a Childless Life
While being childless not by choice can feel devastating, Sarah Jane emphasized that it doesn’t have to be the end of a joyful life. She highlighted potential benefits like financial freedom, more travel opportunities, and the ability to design a life that isn’t centered around children. The key is to stay open to new possibilities and cultivate rich relationships in different ways.
The Power of Embodiment Practices
Sarah Jane explained how embodiment practices differ from typical exercise-focused yoga classes. The goal is to cultivate a sense of coming home to your body, fostering comfort and safety. These practices can help build self-confidence, self-awareness, and self-trust, allowing individuals to be more open to life’s possibilities.
Practical Steps for Healing
For those recently experiencing loss, Sarah Jane recommends:
- Finding someone to talk to who truly understands, often outside immediate friends and family
- Exploring support groups or connecting with others who have similar experiences
- Trying gentle embodiment practices to reconnect with your body
- Journaling as a form of embodied practice
Resources for Your Healing Journey
Sarah Jane offers several free resources on her website, embodiedpossibility.com, including:
- Movement practices
- Journaling exercises
- Self-compassion meditations
- A free guide called “Reclaim Your Body” with 13 ways to start repairing your relationship with your body
Remember, healing is a personal journey with no set timeline. Be patient and compassionate with yourself as you navigate this path.
You can learn more about Sarah Jane at https://www.embodiedpossibility.com/
Jennifer Senn is a certified life coach who is also a bereaved mom of twin girls born at 32 weeks. She helps stillbirth moms let go of guilt, process their grief, and figure out what’s next for their future. You can learn more about her and schedule a free support session at jennifersenn.com.
