Acknowledging that grief lives in the body—in tension, numbness, restlessness—and that honoring these somatic experiences is essential for young people's healing.
Mirabai's poetry frequently invokes the body: her heart aches, her limbs tremble, her whole being yearns. Grief is not merely intellectual or emotional; it is profoundly embodied. For children, this is crucial: grief might manifest as stomachaches, sleep disruption, fidgeting, or sudden exhaustion. Rather than treating these as separate problems, this concept integrates body and grief. A young person might learn to notice where they hold sadness, to breathe into tension, to move their body as a form of expression (dancing as Mirabai did, walking, running, stretching). Physical practices—yoga, martial arts, drumming, sports—can help grief move through and transform rather than getting stuck. Adults supporting children can ask: Where does this hurt live in your body? What does your body need right now? This honoring of somatic experience validates that grief isn't something to overcome through willpower alone. The body's wisdom matters. Practices that help children feel at home in their bodies again become part of healing.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
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