Integration: The Often-Overlooked Step in Healing

Healing isn’t just about what happens during your session, your practice, or your class — it’s also about what happens after. The pause. The stillness. The space to let your body, mind, and spirit weave new experiences into lasting change. This is the opportunity for integration.

I say process because often time how fast or complete integration occurs may not be on our schedule. Let’s look at some examples.

Sometimes integration appears straightforward like those few minutes of rest in savasana as the end of your yoga class. Other times it requires more — days, weeks, even a season of reflection after deep care or personal growth. Each person’s rhythm is unique. The deeper the patterns, the more important it is to allow space for integration.  Even if the shift comes quickly, as it often does when a familiar modality, integration is still essential.

A simple way to think of integration is taking space. In some cases, it may be offered but often it is not. If this is a new idea for you, here are some simple and brief ways to incorporate space with a healing experience:

A pause in an important conversation.

A deep breath or personal prayer as an acknowledgement of an experience.

A nod or expression of gratitude in the form of a bow, offering a namaste, or saying thank you.

From there you may try giving yourself room to stay in the same mindset, energy and nervous system state for longer after your next treatments. Consider putting your phone in a “do not disturb” mode. You can even choose a pairing care such as a chiropractic adjustment and massage on the same day that are linked by the nothingness of relaxing in water, going for a stroll in the park, or slowly savoring a refreshing beverage.

A simple rule to follow is the longer the session, more pain you are processing or more challenging experience the more time for integration is advised. Sometimes during my chiropractic appointments, I turn the lights down, offer to lie for a bit, or offer something to be comfortable even though I sense that people often feel the need to pop right up and get on with life.

Years ago, when I was dedicated to Bikram yoga, I can remember how firm they were about the importance of a full savasana after such rigorous practice despite how hot you may be! Some of my deepest reflections and meditative experiences have been after those classes.

Extended space to integrate requires awareness and intention that may feel challenging, but consider it an investment. This investment transforms a short-term offering into real change. I would argue that whether intentional or not, integration is where the growth happens. Where it goes from something you do to something that changes you. Take a moment to reflect on a time where deeper work and release is happening or when the modality of choice is for that purpose of processing grief, breaking generational cycles, initiating new habits. No matter where you are in your journey one thing your can rely on is that integration is a unique experience. There is no exact way to experience it. Just think, some people thrive in community as they are processing and others seek out solitude. Of course, most of us benefit from the combination of the two.

In closing remember, healing isn’t just about what happens during your session, your practice, or your class, it’s also about what happens after. The pause. The stillness. The space to let your body, mind, and spirit weave new experiences into lasting change. This is integration.