An embodiment practice is a method of using the unique sensations of our body as a tool to develop awareness, stay present, self-regulate, feel whole, find balance, feel connected, know ourself, love ourself and be empowered.
We can learn to recognize our strength, power, softness, uniqueness, vulnerability, truth and love as sensation with embodied or somatic practices such as Somatic Movement and Feldenkrais Method®.
→ An Embodiment Practice cultivates Self-Knowledge.
“Without learning to know ourselves as intimately as we possibly can, we limit our choices. Life is not very sweet without freedom of choice.”
– Moshe Feldenkrais
Our culture, how and where and when we were raised, who our role-models were, the kind of education we received and our physical activities as well as our personal preferences, language, temperament and constitution all contribute to the mental and physical habits we develop as adults.
Some habits become rigid confines that limit the possibilities for how we do things, how we move, how we think and how we behave.
As we develop our awareness in the way we feel ourself – our whole human self – because of – and regardless of – the events and circumstances we have encountered in our life – we become empowered. When we are empowered we are free to choose – how to live, how to think, how to be.
→ An Embodiment Practice helps us experience personal freedom
As we improve our awareness of the distinct and changing sensations in our body we can also become aware of the way we are moving, thinking or behaving is causing us pain, strain or not serving us. Embodiment involves listening to sensation without an objective which leaves us open to discovering new unusual, easier, healthier or more comfortable possibilites.
→ An Embodiment Practice fosters self-love
Becoming aware of our sensation is as intimate, vulnerable process. We can become aware by learning to listen to physical sensation – breath and movement and the sensation that determines our emotions. As our sensations become more familiar we can begin to recognize them as part of our integrated whole self. Recognizing ourself as whole – the good and bad parts – is an integral part of self-love. As we cultivate self-love we learn to be less dependant on external forces (people, objects or circumstances) to supply meaning, balance, contentedness or happiness in our lives.
