Thrival Kit: The Alchemy of Resistance to Freedom
Energize. Nourish. Awaken.
Our FREE Thrival Kit to uplevel with family and friends this month.
“The places we resist are the places that may hold the key to our freedom.”
We all know the feeling of resistance. It can show up in our bodies as tightness or pain. It can arise in our lives as procrastination, avoidance, or the sense of “I just don’t want to.” It can appear in our relationships as defensiveness, pulling away, or shutting down.
At first glance, resistance seems like a barrier. But what if it’s not? What if resistance is actually a doorway?
When we lean into resistance — consciously, with breath, movement, awareness, and curiosity — we begin to discover its alchemy. The heaviness of resistance can be metabolized into something lighter, clearer, and more insightful, leading to a greater sense of your true self.
The Alchemy of Resistance
When we meet resistance rather than run from it, here’s what can emerge:
Courage – Resistance shows us our own strength. Each time we lean in, we discover we are more capable than we believed.
Wholeness – Resistance often hides the parts of us we’ve ignored. Meeting it integrates what was lost, bringing us closer to our true selves.
Freedom – What once felt like a block becomes flow. The body softens, energy moves, creativity and a higher perspective opens.
Clarity – Beneath resistance is often a tender truth waiting to be felt. Once touched, it brings a deeper insight.
Resilience – Each encounter builds self-trust in our ability to meet challenges both in our bodies and in our lives.
Embodied Presence – Resistance demands our attention. Meeting it draws us back into our body, breath, and into presence.
So how do we do this?
Thrival Kit Practices
This month, we invite you to use resistance as your teacher. When we release resistance in the body, we open up to a wider healing capacity, more connection to our intuition, all of which brings us into a higher perspective and a truer version of ourselves.
Movement Practice: In Freedom Movement classes all month long, we’ll explore resistance in the body—pausing at the edge of discomfort, softening into tension, and dancing into flow. Join us live or virtually.
Breathwork: Notice where resistance arises in your breath. Can you soften into it, rather than pull away? Let the breath be your guide.
Breathwork Practice
1. Awareness (1 minute)
Sit or lie down comfortably with your eyes softened or closed.
Notice: Where do I feel resistance right now? It could be a tight jaw, a shallow breath, a body part, a holding in the shoulders or heart space, restless thoughts.
Simply acknowledge it without judgment (which is a practice all on its own!).
2. Conscious Breath Holds (2 minutes)
Inhale through your nose for a slow count of 4.
Hold gently at the top for 4–6 counts—notice the resistance that arises in the pause.
Exhale through your mouth with a sigh, like a deep sigh of relief, for 6–8 counts, letting your body soften.
Repeat this cycle for about six rounds, each time leaning into the “edge” of resistance on the hold, and then releasing more fully on the exhale.
3. After six rounds, remain in stillness and feel if and how the resistance has shifted.
Journaling Prompt:
Where in my life am I resisting? What is the freedom waiting for me on the other side?
Living the Theme
Throughout the month, we’ll be sharing stories and practices from our own lives—how resistance has shown up, and how, when we leaned in, it became the very path to freedom. Join us in class and/or on social!
Resistance doesn’t need to be something that is wrong; it can be our greatest tool, our guidepost, pointing us directly toward the place we’re meant to grow.
From the Heart,
We are Jill & Jessica – the Shine Sisters – your guides to living your shine every day.
With our 40+ years combined experience in certified dance, yoga, reiki and nutrition ~ we are here to build community, empower from within and help you live your best life!
