Episode Transcript
Malik always felt a tightness in his chest and jaw.
For years, he moved through life on high alert, rarely able to let down his guard.
He grew up navigating racism and cultural pressures that taught him to be cautious, careful, and to hide parts of himself.
Over time, Malik’s body adapted by holding tension as a kind of armor—protection against a world that did not always feel safe.
Malik sometimes felt exhausted, anxious, or disconnected from his own body.
He wondered if this weight was simply part of who he was.
When Malik discovered SOFT, he was invited to see his body’s armor not as a weakness, but as survival wisdom.
SOFT practitioners explained that chronic tension can be an intelligent response to ongoing stress, especially for those living with marginalization or discrimination.
The first step was simply acknowledging where Malik felt tension or numbness.
Through gentle body mapping, Malik placed his hand on his chest or jaw and noticed what he felt.
He named these areas “protective,” rather than broken.
SOFT encouraged Malik to slow down, move at his own pace, and honor the cultural and family stories held in his tissues.
Sometimes, this meant sitting quietly with a hand over his heart, recognizing the generations of survival that lived in his body.
Other times, it meant letting himself rest, even for a few moments, without guilt.
With practice, Malik discovered new sensations—sometimes warmth or a sense of release.
Other times, simply a softening of judgment toward himself.
He learned that the goal was not to erase his armor, but to honor it, and allow it to soften when it was safe to do so.
If you carry the weight of cultural or racial trauma, you can try this practice:
Sit comfortably and place your hand over an area that feels tense or guarded.
Take a few breaths.
Acknowledge the wisdom and protection in that part of your body.
There is no need to force change.
Just notice and honor what is present.
SOFT teaches that your survival patterns are not flaws, but powerful stories of strength.
Gentle attention and respect for your body’s wisdom can support healing across generations.
If you’re a therapist, yoga instructor, or bodyworker who is interested in learning more about SOFT Certification, take a look at our Level 1, 2, and 3 training programs on our website, thesoftapproach.com
