Soul Journey: Lymph, Water, and the Flow of Emotions
- Soul Journey
- Oct 10
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 29
Our bodies are rivers. Beneath the skin, a vast network of vessels carries a clear, shimmering fluid called lymph. Unlike blood, which is pumped by the heart, lymph depends on our movement, our breath, and even our emotional state to flow freely. When lymph stagnates, so does our sense of vitality.
The lymphatic system is one of the body’s great mysteries—both simple and profound. It filters waste, supports immunity, and nourishes our tissues. On average, the human body holds approximately a gallon of lymphatic fluid, constantly circulating through channels that run parallel to our blood vessels. This is not excess—it is essential. Without flow, we cannot heal. Without movement, toxins linger.
Lymph as the Fluid of Life
Water has always symbolized life, renewal, and the spirit. In Scripture, rivers mark boundaries of blessing, baptism cleanses, and the Living Water represents eternal renewal. Just as the oceans cover the Earth, lymph washes through the body, carrying away what no longer serves us.
The way our lymph flows may mirror our relationship with water in daily life—and even with our emotions:
Do you let feelings move through you like waves, or do you dam them up until they stagnate?
Do you allow tears to flow when needed, or do you hold them back?
Do you trust that after every storm, the water settles, clear again?
To tend the lymph is to tend the soul. It is to say yes to flow—in the body, in the heart, in spirit.
When Flow is Impeded: POTS & Fibromyalgia
For some, lymphatic flow isn’t just slowed by stress or inactivity—it’s affected by chronic conditions:
POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome): In POTS, blood and fluids pool in the lower body when standing, leading to dizziness, fatigue, and “brain fog.” Because lymph relies on the same muscle and diaphragm pumps as circulation, lymphatic stagnation can worsen symptoms. Gentle MLD may help encourage upward flow, reduce swelling, and support clearer thinking.
Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia often comes with widespread pain, tenderness, and a sense of heaviness. Research suggests lymph stagnation may play a role in amplifying inflammation and pain signaling. MLD, with its feather-light touch, may help calm the nervous system, reduce hypersensitivity, and support more restful sleep.
For both conditions, the goal is not just to “move lymph,” but to retrain the body’s relationship with flow—in fluids, in energy, and in emotions.
Soul Journey Practices for Flow
1. Affirmations for Lymph & Emotional Flow
“I allow what no longer serves me to wash away.”
“My body is a river of renewal and light.”
“I welcome flow—in my cells, in my heart, and in my life.”
“Like water, I move with grace and strength.”
2. Breathing Exercise for the Diaphragm
The diaphragm is the body’s internal pump for lymph.
Place one hand on your chest, one on your belly.
Inhale slowly through your nose, allowing the belly to rise while the chest stays soft.
Exhale through pursed lips, feeling the belly fall.
Repeat for 5 minutes, visualizing waves gently rising and falling at the shoreline.
3. Gentle Bedbound Exercises for Flow
For the calves (the “second heart” of circulation):
Point and flex your feet slowly 10–20 times.
Make gentle ankle circles, clockwise and counterclockwise.
For the arms:
Stretch your arms upward toward the ceiling, reaching as if to touch the sky.
Open your arms wide and bring them back across your chest in a gentle hug.
For the diaphragm (movement and breath together):
While lying down, place a small pillow on your belly.
Practice breathing so that the pillow gently rises and falls.
Imagine this motion helping to “pump” the rivers within you.
Questions to Ask Before Starting Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Before beginning MLD for POTS, fibromyalgia, or any chronic condition, it helps to have clarity and partnership with your healthcare providers. Here are some questions to guide you:
Ask Your Doctor:
Is MLD safe for my condition given my current medications and symptoms?
Can lymphatic drainage support my circulation or immune function without causing instability?
Are there any red flags (such as blood clots, infection, or heart/kidney issues) that would make MLD unsafe for me?
How might MLD fit alongside my current treatment plan?
Ask Your Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT):
Do you have specific training in Manual Lymphatic Drainage?
Have you worked with clients who have POTS or fibromyalgia before?
How will you adapt the session to avoid over-stimulation of my nervous system?
What signs should I watch for after a session to know if my body is responding well?
Can you teach me self-care techniques I can use between sessions?
Closing Thought
Your lymphatic system is not just biology—it is biography. It reflects how you move through life: fluid or stagnant, open or withheld. As you nurture your lymph, you nurture your soul’s ability to release, cleanse, and renew.
Water within, water without.
Flow within, flow without.
Healing within, healing without.
📍 Soul Journey | 1600 Sarno Rd Suite 217, Melbourne, FL 32935
📲 Call or text 321-430-0911 to schedule your consultation.
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