Moving Through Liminal Space
Easing your path through liminal space, a physical or metaphorical ‘in-between’ place of transition. By Anna Brook
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Being in liminal space is where someone is moving through the threshold between two identities. It could be the pregnant woman who is considering what her new identity will be once she becomes a parent, someone who has left their job and is in the process of finding a new one, or someone who is going through bereavement.
Elements of an old identity feel as though they are dissolving, and the new identity is still forming. It can be a time of uncertainty, fear or restlessness, and we may feel a bit out of our comfort zone. And yet liminal space can have a transformative quality.
Like the caterpillar going into the chrysalis to dissolve and reform into the magnificence of a butterfly, there sometimes needs to be a dissolving of elements of our lives, for the next phase to be born (for example, the new job being even better than the last, or the wonder of the new child who arrives).
A time where priorities reorder and we recalibrate. It may take time, yet sometimes these recalibrations can bring a whole wealth of benefits and positivity to our lives. Whether you’re moving through liminal space yourself or supporting someone who is, here are some supportive tips during this time.
4 Tips for Support through Liminal Space
1. Witness them: When we move through liminal space, we may feel alone at times; that the world is going about its business and we are in a kind of limbo. Offering our attention and listening in these moments can mean a lot.
2. Containment: In the womb, we were ‘contained’ in a physical space. If a child cries, they are likely to feel comforted by a hug. We, as adults, desire to feel a sense of containment – this can be provided by the care of a yoga teacher tucking our blankets in around us in savasana, or in a women’s circle environment.
3. Selective non-judgement: When we share our stories and sense that someone isn’t judging us, has put aside any agenda, we may feel supported on a whole new level.
4. Kindness: Liminal space can be disorientating. Kindness can ease this sense of discomfort and offer a positive boost to those moving through it.
Anna Brook is the founder of Shala Women and the creator of the ‘Women’s Circle Training’, which is accredited by Yoga Alliance Professionals. Visit: shalawomen.co.uk
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