HOW TO BE EMBODIED

The idea of being embodied is not a new one, therapists have, for many years, stated the importance of being at one with our bodies and have helped their clients become comfortable in their bodies as well as being aware of them.

But in a day and age when mentally, we are consistently busy and self-analytical, it is easy to get stuck in our heads as we go through our daily lives.

As a company, Jessica Laura Organics (the producers of Rawgaia) strive to encourage it's employees to work towards a healthy connection with their bodies. We try to do this in our work place as we drop down into our bodies before manufacturing and making decisions that reflect our ethical viewpoints.

We play beautiful music whilst we work, we dance and make an effort to work with our whole bodies, not just our minds. But how can you begin the process of getting out of your head and into your body?

It is definitely a process that requires conscious thought before it happens naturally but the good news is that it's not hard and once you've managed it, you'll find yourself slipping into your body easily and to great personal benefit.

Susan Kleinman explains that as 'human beings communicate through their bodies long before they learn to talk, the language of the body is essentially our native language'.

She adds that even as we develop to communicate verbally, she believes that body language 'remains our most basic means of recognising our needs and expressing ourselves' (1). 

Communicating using our bodies is instinctive, effective and vital in order to maintain healthy relationships. But if it is such a natural thing, why do we slip out of being in touch with our bodies and get so stuck in our heads?

Counsellor Kate Daigle believes that most commonly people who 'report feeling “disconnected from”, “at war with”, “disgusted by”, or “dissatisfied with” their bodies'  have had an internal experience that 'has felt too painful or disregulated' and thus, have disconnected from it and consequently, their bodies. (2)

Whether this experience is to do with body image, an emotional issue, feelings regarding our purpose in life or something else, the end result is often the same. A disconnection from our bodies, an inability to recognise the needs and desires of our physical self and often, a form of self punishment as we reward ourselves with (emotionally) unhealthy activities or food.

Perhaps this sounds familiar to you but you're not sure where to start to rectify it? Both Daigle and Kleinman suggest dance/movement therapy as an effective way to reconnect with your body. Allowing yourself to recognise the rhythm in the music and lose yourself to movement helps as you focus on moving your body in a rhythmic and pleasing manner.

If dancing isn't for you, there are many other ways that you can get in touch with your body. Go for a run with a friend, practise sensual massage with your lover, embrace daily yoga, simply concentrate on the muscles working as you walk, focus on fuelling your body with healthy, plant based foods.

Jenna Ward, a Kinesiologist and Embodiment Mentor believes that embodiment is possible for all of us and here at Rawgaia, we wholeheartedly agree.

She states that it happens when 'we get out of our heads, into our bodies, and connect with our heart and souls desire....

Embodiment happens when we know in every cell our being that we are enough' (3). If you take nothing else from this post, remember that and meditate on it as you go through your day today... Simply that as you are, you are enough.

References

https://psychcentral.com/lib/making-the-most-of-your-whole-self-being-an-embodied-therapist/"https://psychcentral.com/lib/making-the-most-of-your-whole-self-being-an-embodied-therapist/

https://www.katedaiglecounseling.com/2014/03/26/five-steps-becoming-embodied-home-body/"https://www.katedaiglecounseling.com/2014/03/26/five-steps-becoming-embodied-home-body/

http://jennaward.co/12-signs-you-are-not-embodied/"http://jennaward.co/12-signs-you-are-not-embodied/