Embodiment….what is it and why try it?
When it comes to defining the somatic modality of embodiment it is definitely better “felt than telt..”, meaning that it can be hard to put words on an experience that is so body-led.
Embodiment is a multi-faceted thing, yet at its core its very simply about coming home to the body.
Being in the here and now
with the body-mind
noticing what is alive in this moment (an emotion, a desire to move or stretch, tension)
welcoming its presence
and releasing the need or want to change any of it.
When we give ourselves this kind of full loving presence (this could be through touch, movement, sound, breath) the body will often unravel some of what its holding and we begin to FEEL what is really there. Which means Embodiment is also about being with what is here, without shame, judgement, closure or criticism of what arises.
Compared to mind based modalities that use thoughts to try to reprogram or change our state of conciousness, when we come back home to the body there is nothing to do or change, its simply an observance of what is here and how its feeling/ communicating with us.
Compared to some movement modalities that invite us to dance and use cathartic release as a means to feel better, embodiment invites acceptance of what is currently present in the body, here and now without a desire to change anything. Sure we may still move, breathe, make sounds if that’s what the body is calling for, but its done as a means of opening into what is there instead of forcing away what we don’t want to feel.
There is nothing wrong with either of these approaches, I use them and benefit from them myself. However in my experience they don’t touch on working with or beginning to soothe the deeper underlying nervous system stress most of us hold or are carrying each day. This is where embodiment excels – it is a form of deep listening in to our own bodies; especially when I’m teaching a room full of women to move in the way their body wants to move instead of putting on a show or trying to look sexy. This is deeply healing work.
The concept of embodiment sounds simple enough, and it is indeed simple, but not easy. WHY?
Because we live in a society that rewards busyness. Distraction. Fast paced everything. As a result, most of us abandon ourselves regularly, many many times every single day 😔💔
In truth it has never been easier to loose ourselves with the countless distractions of this world (tv, drugs, alcohol, sex, sport, food shopping). When we let the mind continually lead us forward we can lose touch with what this present moment holds for us.
Herein lies the true gift of embodiment; through our own connection with the body we can begin to truly re-find ourselves instead of running away with distractions, avoidance or strategies to numb our emotional pain so we don’t have to think, feel or experience all the things that make us feel like shit.
Instead, we use the body as our compass to come back home to our inner state of truth. To feel what is there. That means embodiment can sometimes make use feel worse before we feel better as in every literal sense we need to FEEL it to HEAL IT.
The body is a powerful vehicle of feedback that does not lie. The mind can lie endlessly and create story after story, fuelled by hurts, illusions, fears and a desire to keep us safe. Yet the body in its simplicity gives us instant feedback.
Think about a time you had a queasy stomach or nagging headache – those were signs from your body about something that the mind may not have fully comprehended, yet the feedback was clear – “pay attention. This doesn’t feel good. I am not ok with this”.
What are the benefits when it comes to human relationships?
Did you know that the body also stores all of our greatest wounds, hurts and traumas. I am talking attachment theory, relational patterns and all of the ways that we connect with and relate to other humans.
This means as we become more connected, sensitive and attuned to our own body through embodiment based practices, things will often begin to surface that need to be addressed or taken to therapy to unpack. Things like; past hurts and betrayals, grief we didn’t fully feel, all the times we said Yes when we wanted to say No…
The body holds and remembers it all – if its had an impact on our system and we didn’t fully move through it a residual impact will still remain. And the sad truth is we live in a world that encourages this! The more we have been taught in the past to numb out, the more we have learnt to deny the truth of our bodies. The only way I know to really truly reverse this is by slowly gently unravelling each piece of closure, hurt, fear, worry or avoidance that is still there, as it arises in and through the body.
The more we do this, the more we unclog the past traumas from our system and create more space to thrive in the now. Embodiment really does offer this kind of capacity for change. But make no mistake, it is not easy work and it takes time, patience and persistence to be with ourselves in such a present way, day in, day out. And once we can learn to accept who we are, what we need and what we are still holding onto that isn’t serving us, we can begin to really create a healthy relationship with ourselves – which is essential for us to have a healthy relationship with another.
There is no short cut to having better relationships – but embodiment does offer the fastest most lasting pathway I have found to create deep and lasting change in this area.
For this reason and many others, I believe that Embodiment is the medicine we need.. the antidote to constant distraction, dis-association and loss of intimacy in a consumer led society.
For the body invites us to become our own muse and our own healer. Embodiment invites us to restore connection with ourselves —- self intimacy.
So in the simplest sense you could say embodiment is our pathway back home to ourselves – laying a wonderful foundation for all other forms of connection and intimacy.
WANT TO EXPERIENCE IT? TRY THIS
Take a breath in right now – as you exhale, allow the sound to fall out of your mouth and some sound to follow. You may need to take a few more breaths to get the full benefit so if you have time, just breathe deeply and exhale loudly for 2 minutes. Then notice your body in silence afterwards. Do you feel more here? More tense or relaxed? More in your mind or your body?
Embodiment is a powerful tool that can put the responsibility and capacity for healing back in our own hands. And I think the world needs more of that.
You can explore embodiment with me at one of my upcoming group workshops, group programs or via one-to-one coaching. Take a look around and please get in touch if you would like to chat with me further.
Yours in love, Bree
❤️
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About the author
Bree Taylor Molyneaux is a Brisbane based Intimacy and Embodiment coach. An emerging leader specialising in Embodiment, Tantra, Sacred relating and positive sexuality, Bree is a passionate authority on living a fully embodied & present life.
A trained Embodiment Facilitator and coach with a background in trauma informed therapy, she brings over 20 years of industry experience to her private clients, group programs and workshops.
Based in the Brisbane area for most in person Tantric events, Bree has many online support tools including a group program for women around their relationship to men + an online self-care course for Women + hypnosis downloads available on iTunes.
