Embodied Reality: Decoding the Mystique of Having a Body

Welcome to Creating an Embodied World, a space where we delve into the profound connection between our physical existence and overall wellness. The term ‘embodied world’ may prompt the question, “Aren’t we all inherently embodied, possessing a body?” Indeed, we are. Yet, ‘embodiment’ and ‘somatics’ transcend mere physicality; they represent a conscious journey towards integrating our body’s wisdom with our mental and emotional landscapes. These ideas have gradually woven their way into mainstream conversations, becoming ever more pivotal in recent years in both personal growth dialogues and wellness industry narratives.

Understanding these concepts, which carry centuries-old wisdom for healing, good health, personal transformation, and world peace, helps each of us navigate our ever-changing world. Additionally, coaches, therapists, and other healers who have not yet encountered these thoughts will be able to understand the importance of their neuro-regulation in both therapy sessions and in their own personal activities.

A Little Background

Let me begin by sharing a little story. I was blessed to encounter “somatics” before these practices even carried that name. An optimistic 19-year-old, I felt on top of the world, thrilled to be in the first class with women at Princeton University and awed to be less than an hour away from the dance capital of the world, New York City.

School went well, but my dance studies with professional trainers hit a wall when I was not able to support the extreme ‘extensions’ of a leg lift touching the ear while standing on one toe, required in any ballet at that time. No anatomical issues could be identified as causing the problem,

I was training as hard as I possibly could, so I began to listen to the talk of small, fascinating classes in lofts, exploring new ideas about movement. I was to stumble on seminal pioneers of somatic thought: Moche Feldenkrais, Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, and Irmgard Bartinieff with her work and the Laban material.

I also encountered students of both Fredrick Matthias Alexander, born in 1869, the founder of “The Alexander Technique;” and Ida Rolf, born in the Bronx in 1896, who taught through the 1950s and developed the technique, “Rolfing” after earning her Ph.D. in biochemistry.

Everyone talked together in those excited, fervent days, and Qigong, Taichi, and yoga also informed our discussions. In 1976 Thomas Hanna defined the work as “Somatics,” from the Greek word for the living body, soma, as the study of the body experienced from within, the body as a lived experience.” As this information became absorbed by our community a few years later, we had a new touch point of understanding of what we were doing.

Cohen’s “Body-Mind Centering” is now an international resource for “Embodied Anatomy,” the Feldenkrais work continues to help thousands and inspire other techniques, and Bartinieff’s work has blossomed into the intensive “Certified Movement Analyst (C.M.A.) program at the now prestigious Laban/Bartinieff Institute of Movement Studies.

What started with a few people in small groups, meeting in lofts and with experimental university professors like Hanna has exploded into a wonderful myriad of techniques and therapies, including Somatic Experiencing, TRE® (Trauma Release Exercises), Irene Lyons’ “SmartBody SmartMind;” and many other programs generated by devoted people working for the past decades. Yet the work of understanding the Mind-Body connection is only in its infancy while the need intensifies.

Embodiment Practices

In today’s fast-paced world, where stressors range from daily distractions to pervasive exposure to conflict and unrest through media, the principles of embodiment and somatic work are increasingly relevant. These practices offer a means to regain our neurobiological balance, often disrupted by the relentless stimuli that demand our attention and emotional response.

Embodiment practices encourage individuals to reconnect with their physical selves and to feel grounded in their bodies amidst the chaos of the external environment. By focusing on the sensations within, people can find a sense of calm and presence, which is often lost when the mind is scattered by multiple stressors.

Somatic work, similarly, provides tools for individuals to explore and release the tension that accumulates in the body due to stress. It helps in recognizing the physical manifestations of emotional and psychological strain, allowing for a holistic approach to wellness that includes the body’s wisdom in the healing process.

These practices are not just about self-care; they are about survival in a world that can often feel overwhelming. By fostering a deeper connection with our own physicality, we can create a buffer against the barrage of stimuli that threaten to disrupt our equilibrium. In essence, Embodiment and somatic work serve as anchors, helping us navigate the tumultuous seas of modern life with greater resilience and composure. With new developments in the science of the brain, we are also able to work with the effects of trauma in new and successful way.

The mind will forget traumatic events, but our body holds those memories, and they can then negatively affect mental and physical well-being. This is the hidden power of the Somatic/Embodiment movement; as the motto states for Y12SR (Yoga for 12 Step Recovery): “The issues are in the tissues.”

I’ll always remember a client of mine who came to me after years of ‘talk therapy,’ where her abusive husband, her miscarriage, and her teenage rape were all reviewed. What was never opened and resolved for her was childhood sexual abuse, which she found through somatic work. She had no memory of the event until we began the bodywork.

She later said, “My body remembered what my mind forgot” and it was true. She herself drew the connections however to the ‘story’ behind the sensations released, through her own intuition and journaling. In some somatic and embodiment practices cognitive processing is not found to be necessary unless, on some occasions, when dealing with complex Trauma. In others, the work starts with the history and moves into the body.

What’s Coming Up?

Next week we will discuss what constitutes good practice to build “Educated” or “Skillful Embodiment” and “Balanced Somatic Neurobiology.”  There are easy steps open to you to find the freedom of movement and opportunity we’ve been exploring.

Somatics vs. Embodiment

This leads us to the need to demystify the concepts to gain clarity about the terms “Somatics” and “Embodiment” and their respective applications. Both terms are deeply interconnected and play significant roles in somatic psychology and therapy.

Somatics centers on the introspective journey through movement, prioritizing the cultivation of internal awareness and the therapeutic impact of such practices. They are about tuning into the body’s signals and fostering a harmonious mind-body connection by supporting the process of listening to the body’s signals, and in some cases, understanding their meaning and emotional connotations.

With somatic practice, an individual develops an ease of movement and an ease of mind, with the tools to grow an ever-awakening awareness of self, and all that it implies. It involves the use of the mind-body connection to help individuals survey their internal self and listen to signals from their body regarding pain, discomfort, or imbalance.

Embodiment, in contrast, involves the outward expression or actualization of thoughts, feelings, or characteristics. It’s the process through which abstract concepts take on a physical form, often through the body’s posture, movement, and presence in space.

Even here, the lines can become somewhat blurred, as some advanced somatic practices (as in the Laban and Alexander work), do take the body into spatial harmony, with all that this implies for the individual.

Specific components of various practices will overlap, which leads to some confusion but also illustrates the complexity of a field still in the process of development, with the beauty of discovery opening possibilities formerly underheard of, even at this writing.

While both terms deal with the body and physical experience, somatics is more focused on the internal awareness and therapeutic aspects of movement, whereas embodiment is about the external representation or manifestation of qualities or ideas.

Exploring Embodiment and Somatics

These practices invite you to forge a deeper bond with your inner self, your physical being, and the immediacy of the now. They serve as gateways to exploring your identity, embracing your true self, and undergoing meaningful change. By integrating these practices into your routine, you unlock doors to a myriad of new possibilities and life experiences.

It’s important to note that the path to embodiment isn’t about reaching an ideal state or a specific goal. Rather, it’s about the ongoing journey of harmonizing with your body, heeding its innate knowledge, and nurturing a profound level of awareness and presence. Every moment on this path is a chance for personal evolution and restoration.

Envision a world where embodiment is the norm: a society where everyone is profoundly connected to their own bodies and the emotional states of those around them. In this world, people would naturally self-regulate, fostering a collective harmony of the heart. This could lead to a decrease in violence, as everyone would be more conscious of how their actions affect others, promoting peaceful conflict resolution.

A focus on well-being and community in such a world would cultivate health, peace, and a profound respect for all forms of life. Embodied Justice in the context of social activism is about grounding the pursuit of social change in the lived experiences and physical realities of individuals and communities. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing the somatic, or bodily, aspects of injustice and oppression. This approach suggests that transformative change begins within the body, through an awareness of how societal issues are physically manifested and experienced.

Social activism often involves challenging entrenched systems of power and advocating for structural change. “Embodied Justice” adds a dimension to this work by highlighting the need for personal and collective healing as part of the process. It encourages activists to engage in practices that foster resilience and well-being, ensuring that their efforts are sustainable and rooted in a deep sense of connection to themselves and others.

By integrating somatic practices into activism, individuals can become more effective agents of change. They can develop a heightened sense of empathy and a more profound understanding of the issues they are fighting for, which can lead to more compassionate and inclusive movements. Embodied Justice, therefore, serves as a bridge between the internal experience of individuals and the external goals of social justice movements. Awakening Somatic Body Awareness is becoming increasingly recognized as a vital central component for navigating today’s world, where stress and disconnection are so prevalent.

Some other fields where Somatic/Embodiment Awareness can be particularly helpful are:

Mental Health

In a world where mental health concerns are becoming more prevalent, embodiment practices offer a refuge. They allow individuals to navigate their emotional landscape by tuning into the body’s signals, which can often reveal underlying stress or trauma. Through techniques like deep breathing, mindful movement, and grounding exercises, people can find a sense of calm and clarity amidst the turmoil of everyday life.

Education

The classroom can be transformed by somatic awareness, providing students with tools to manage the pressures of academic life. Simple practices like posture checks, sensory exercises, and movement breaks can help students stay engaged and absorb information more effectively. By incorporating these techniques, educators can foster a learning environment that supports both the minds and bodies of students.

Workplace

In the corporate sector, the introduction of embodiment practices can lead to a healthier work environment. Employees who engage in regular somatic exercises may experience reduced physical tension and mental fatigue. This not only enhances individual well-being but also promotes a more collaborative and creative workplace culture.

Healthcare

For healthcare professionals, somatic methods can be a lifeline, offering a way to cope with the high demands of their roles. Patients, too, can benefit from embodiment practices that complement their treatment plans, potentially leading to faster recovery and better health outcomes.

Social Activist

In the realm of social justice, embodiment awareness can empower activists and community leaders. It provides them with the stamina to confront systemic inequalities and the emotional resilience to sustain their efforts over time. By staying physically and mentally grounded, they can approach their work with a balanced perspective and maintain their commitment to creating change.

Reflective Journaling

Pen your inner dialogue, emotional states, and bodily awareness. Let journaling be your tool for enhancing self-knowledge and uncovering insights into your well-being. It’s a practice that encourages introspection, understanding, and personal advancement.

Creative Practices

Along with Reflective Journaling and many of the categories listed above, this category will be more fully expanded as the arts and embodiment are explored in the coming weeks.

Other topics in this series will include the history of somatics and the contemporary embodiment movement, the development of trauma therapy work stemming from these breakthrough understandings, some accessible practices explained and evaluated that will make coming into your body a realistic notion, and a discussion of how to self-evaluate and bring awareness to your own embodiment, so that you too can be a part of what some consider the “Fourth Wave of Therapy,” that which includes somatic understanding and peaceful embodiment, so your Light shines purely without obstacle or restriction.

Embodiment Awareness is a powerful tool that can enhance our ability to live fully and respond to the challenges of modern life with grace and strength,

Connect with Bonnie on The Wellness Universe.

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