Walking With Our Ancestors: An Embodied Journey
by Paul Robear

Recently, during a shared posture experience with our community, a powerful theme emerged—Ancestral Healing. It struck a deep chord in me. I found myself reflecting more deeply on the importance of this kind of healing, my own ancestral connections, and the profound need to feel rooted in those who came before us.

Our shared experience brought a sense of deep healing. Many of us felt part of something larger—a reconnection. There is a sacred intelligence in the body, and these postures help unlock it. Over the years, the Bear Spirit posture, for example, has helped me feel grounded and timeless—as if I were tapping into an ancient memory encoded within me.

Across the globe, many Indigenous cultures have rituals to honor family and tribal members after they pass. The bonds of family, tribe, clan, and community stretch far beyond a single lifetime. And it’s not just about connecting with one beloved ancestor, but with the entire thread of those who have shaped our story.

We all have ancestors—both of blood and of spirit—and each of our lives rests firmly on their foundation. Our ancestors may include not only our recent and distant family, but also beloved friends, community members, cultural or spiritual leaders, and those who reach back into the deep human story. The relationship we cultivate with them can provide self-healing and open a gateway for fulfilling our potential here on Earth.

I see our ancestors as the threads that weave the web of our identity. They aren’t just stories from the past—they are companions in the present. There’s a deep peace in knowing that I don’t walk alone. That I carry not only their burdens but also their blessings. We are part of a lineage, a living stream of intention and creation. By acknowledging them—by listening, honoring, and moving with them—I can bring something new into the world. Something more whole. Something more human.

When we recognize that our ancestors live on in our very DNA, their struggles and victories become a part of who we are. Connecting with them empowers us—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Like any meaningful relationship, our bond with the ancestors calls for attention, acknowledgment, and renewal. Through the embodied experiences of Ritual Body Posture, we can directly engage with these relationships. This becomes a profound source of healing, empowerment, and nourishment along our life’s journey.