Episode Transcript
Tanya lived with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue for many years.
Her days were filled with pain, tension, and exhaustion.
Doctors offered medications, and some approaches focused on pushing through pain, but nothing brought real relief.
Tanya often felt at war with her own body.
She wondered if she would ever feel at home in her skin again.
When Tanya discovered the SOFT approach, it was a new experience.
Instead of battling pain, SOFT invited her to listen to it with compassion.
One of Tanya’s first practices was simple body mapping.
With a blank outline of her body, she gently marked areas of pain, tension, and also any places that felt neutral or even comfortable.
This helped her see that her whole body was not pain—there were still pockets of ease.
SOFT also taught Tanya to use micro-practices.
Rather than long sessions, she paused for just a few seconds several times a day.
She placed her hand on an area of comfort, breathing gently and letting her body know it was safe.
Some days, comfort was hard to find.
But even the smallest moment of relief was celebrated.
Over time, Tanya noticed a subtle shift.
The pain did not disappear, but her relationship with it changed.
She learned to bring self-compassion to the hard moments, and to rest in the places that felt good.
She stopped judging her body for what it could not do and began honoring what was possible.
Tanya found that honoring her boundaries and listening to her body’s wisdom helped her move through daily life with more resilience.
If you live with chronic pain, you can try this practice:
Draw or imagine a simple outline of your body.
Notice and gently mark where you feel pain, tension, or comfort.
Place your hand on an area that feels neutral or okay, and take a few gentle breaths.
Remind yourself that every sensation is valid.
Small moments of comfort can be anchors in the day.
SOFT teaches that compassion, not force, is the way forward.
Gentle practices and honoring your boundaries can make living with pain more manageable.
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
