In my psychotherapy practice, the work I do with clients individually and in groups is experiential and body-oriented because I believe that within the body lies vital information about past traumas, present feelings and attitude toward life. Our bodies constantly are sending us information about our physical and emotional state of being. The question is whether we listen. Do we pause and tune into both the subtle and obvious messages? I believe that taking time to learn the language of the body is essential to healing and growth.
Although we are born with the capacity to be integrated and embodied beings, most of us have experienced years of chronic dissatisfaction with our body. As children we found pleasure in expressing ourselves spontaneously through movement and sound...running, skipping, singing, spinning, jumping, dancing and laughing. Many of us, though, have lost touch with those simple joys as we gradually began to disconnect from our body. This is partly due to the cultural mind/body split and partly to the unrealistic definition of the "perfect body" that we have been conditioned to expect of ourselves.
My experience with my body as I grew up was similar to that of many women I know, in that I was never satisfied. I tried to manipulate my body through diet and exercise to measure up to these external standards, but never got the results I wanted. In the process, I forgot how to enjoy the feeling of being in my body. Society teaches us to hold in and hold back, which often stifles our natural impulses, curiosity and spontaneous self-expression.
Unfortunately, when we become so focused on the external ideal of what our body should look like, the body's internal signals are overlooked or ignored. The good news is that no matter how out of touch we feel with our body, we always have the opportunity to heal that disconnection by incorporating a few simple practices into our daily routine.
One way to feel more at home in our body is to give ourself nourishing and sensual experiences such as aromatherapy baths, massages, quiet walks in the woods or on the beach, and favorite foods. Pay attention to sensations that bring pleasure. If this feels selfish, think of all the ways your body serves you and realize it deserves to be nurtured and appreciated.
Another way to learn to listen to the body is to pay attention to uncomfortable symptoms or places of tension. One simple method is to pause, breathe into that area and be open to any emotions, images or thoughts associated with the sensation. Taking time to notice what our body needs on a daily basis and attending to that need is essential to building a more positive relationship.
We are embodied beings whose health and wellbeing depend upon our ability to integrate body, mind and spirit. In this stressful, fast-paced world, it is essential that we learn to care for and respect the body we live in.
This article was entitled, The Physical Woman. It appeared in the Emory Women's Center Newsletter.