When the World Paused, So Did She

There are moments in life when the universe hands us an unexpected pause.

For Christina, it came during the government shutdown—an abrupt, forced “no work” stretch that could have easily filled itself with worry, restlessness, or the pressure to be “productive” in all the usual ways.

Instead, she chose something different.

She took absolute advantage of the pause and ended each day with a personal accomplishment—small or big—something that reminded her she was still moving forward, even while the world slowed down.

And one of the biggest moments on that list?

A private Withers & Wellness Connection & Release session.

Christina’s session was a Connection & Release experience, which uses the Masterson Method Bladder Meridian technique—a gentle, intentional approach that supports both horse and human in releasing stored tension, re-regulating the nervous system, and connecting in a way that doesn’t rely on words.

This work isn’t about “doing more.”

It’s about feeling more.
Listening more.
Trusting more.

And letting the body remember what it feels like to soften.

Christina had attended our group sessions before and always left feeling grounded and peaceful. But one horse, in particular, kept showing up for her.

Dusty.

She met him several times during clinics and described it simply: he continuously left an imprint on her.

So when she scheduled her private session, choosing Dusty felt like an added layer of meaning—something she was anticipating most.

The moment Christina stepped into the stables, she felt it.

An immediate rush of emotions washed over her.

She and Dusty locked eyes—and in her words, “it’s like he just knew I needed this.”

That’s something we see often in this work: horses don’t need your backstory to understand your energy. They respond to what’s present. What’s true. What’s held in the body.

Christina and Dusty spent time aligning their energy, synchronizing their breathing, and creating what she described as a euphoric mental environment.

Not forced. Not performed.

Just… felt.

When it felt right, Christina took what she called a “brave inner-leap”—and began following Dusty’s bladder meridian.

And yes, she also named the very real fear that can come up when you’re close to a 1,000+ lb animal:

“Being kicked in the face by this massive powerhouse of nature absolutely was a concern…”

But then came the moment that makes this work so transformational:

She fully let go and trusted the moment.

As her fingers traveled all the way down to the tip of his hoof, she found herself squatted low, completely mesmerized—allowing calmness to conquer fear.

And she captured something that goes far beyond the session itself:

It was symbolic in many ways for how she’d been tackling life lately.

Sometimes a horse becomes a mirror—not of our personality, but of our patterns.

How we approach uncertainty.
How we brace.
How we hesitate.
How we trust (or don’t).

And when we’re guided into a safe moment of connection—breath, touch, stillness, and attunement—something shifts.

Not because we “tried harder.”

But because we finally stopped long enough to feel.

After her session, Christina left with exactly what so many people come seeking (even if they don’t have the words for it yet):

Lightness.
Peace.
Rejuvenation.

She wrote:

“Leaving the farm, my body, mind and spirit were light, peaceful, and rejuvenated. Until next time, Dusty!”

If life has felt heavy…
If your nervous system has been running on high alert…
If you’re craving a reset that doesn’t involve pushing harder…

A Connection & Release session may be exactly the kind of pause your body is asking for.

These private sessions are designed to support:

• stress relief and nervous system downshifting
   
• emotional and physical tension release
   
• deeper connection to your body and breath
   
• co-regulation through mindful interaction with the horses
   

To learn more or schedule your own Connection & Release experience, visit withersandwellness.com.

And if you’ve been waiting for “the right time” to take care of you—consider this your sign.

Sometimes the world pauses so you can, too.