Take a moment and imagine what it would be like if your body, just as it is right now, was your wise and beloved friend. Whatever your size, shape, age, gender, ability, health status, let yourself feel what it would be like if your body was your closest ally, a guide to help you navigate the challenges of life. What would it be like for your body to be your place of safety, your joyful home?
These are the gifts of embodiment. Embodiment is a way of being where we experience our physical self directly, without the constant nagging interference of our thinking mind. When we are embodied, we use our physical self to not only engage with the world and do the things that need to be done, but also as a way to understand and connect with ourselves and others.
Unfortunately for many of us, this kind of relationship with the body is beyond what we can even begin to imagine. We experience our body as something quite separate and often alien from who we are. Our body is a thing ‘out there’ that has almost nothing to do with that which is us….the thinking person ‘in here’. This is what it means to be disembodied.
When we live disembodied, not only are we disconnected from our body, but tragically the body is often seen as an enemy. Instead of safe haven, the body is a source of confusion and pain. The latest in therapeutic best practice research tells us healing, especially when there is trauma, has to start with the body. In somatic psychotherapy, we work to reforge the connection between the mind and the body and pave the way for deep healing to happen.
Becoming embodied has many benefits for health and wellbeing. In an embodied life, work, play and rest are more satisfying because we are able to fully experience these things. When you are in tune with and aware of your body, taking care of yourself is easier because you have access to information like stress patterns, nutrition needs, rest and exercise. We just need to be able to hear what our bodies are telling us.
The benefits of living an embodied life are many:
Emotional regulation: the body plays a significant role in experiencing, storing and processing emotions. Connecting with your body is a bridge to healing your emotional wounds.
Caring for others: when we are embodied we become more empathic and tuned into the pain of others. This awareness is needed for compassion, for us to be moved to act in ways to ease the pain of others.
Body wisdom: knowing your body intimately and feeling it’s spaciousness are important bridges to your spirit sense. We have wisdom, an intuitive knowing deep within that we are able to access when we fully experience our body.
Healing body shame: Shame disconnects us from our embodied self. Doing the work to reclaim embodiment supports a positive connection to, and unconditional appreciation of the body. This is Reclaiming Body Sovereignty.
How do we make this shift to become more embodied?
Embodiment is about living your life from the inside out, as much as you can. When you listen to and invite your body to be a part of whatever you are doing, you are embracing embodiment. Look for opportunities to be fully present in your body, to bring mindfulness to your activities.
Grounding through the body is a basic tool and a great place to start. You can somatically arrive in the body with your awareness no matter your current state of mind. Try this simple grounding technique*:
Step 1 – Mindful Check In
Take a moment to see how you are feeling right now. Are you: Tired? Awake? Irritated?Happy? Disconnected from your sense of joy or flow? Triggered emotionally? In sensory overload? Not feeling in your body?
Then take a breath and say: “It’s okay, this will pass. I now need to come back to my body.”
Step 2
• Take whatever posture feels comfortable for you. Acknowledge your current emotional state.
• Bring your attention inward. You can have your eyes open or closed.
• Scan what your body feels right now. If you are sensing agitation or irritation, see if you can identify where in your body you feel it.
• Place your hand on the body area. Take a breath and exhale slowly, and imagine the feeling of irritation or agitation melting.
• Feel your feet on the ground. (If you are laying down, bend your knees and place your feet on the ground. This is preferable to stretching out the legs.)
• Gently push into your feet, as if you are slowly walking on the spot. Imagine you are pushing away the floor beneath you. There is a little exertion with this.
• Now imagine that your feet are planted barefoot in the grass or on the ground. Keep walking, pushing, and exhaling actively. Do this for two to three minutes.
• Then stop, pause and notice your body. Sense and see with your inner imagination the ground underneath you that is supporting you right now. Tune into that fact. It’s not just imagination, it’s also quite literal.
• Is there any change? How is your body now?
As you come out of the exercise, take a moment to reflect:
I feel____right now.
I feel___in my body.
I am letting go of____.
I am grounding into____.
Here is another tool you may find helpful, a full body appreciation meditation recording that you can listen to anytime.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Byl3ZS9PFo0kTDk2bWdlWXpPdEU/view?usp=sharing
The purpose of exercises like this is to bring calm to your mind and heart. No matter how disconnected you may feel from your body, healing is possible. Your body, your very own wise friend and ally is there for you, ready when you are. Embrace your embodied life and reclaim a life of joy, wellbeing and peace.
Embodied Compassion Focused Psychotherapy
Sydney provides strengths-based support to people struggling with self worth, body image concerns and life transitions. With a focus on fostering a compassionate mindset, work with Sydney to feel good about yourself, find peace with your body and live your life to the fullest.
*adapted from The Somatic Psychotherapy Toolbox by Manuela Mischke-Reeds