Many of my clients feel really disconnected from their body. We spend so much time in our active head, so much of our attention goes to our thoughts it can become tiring. One of my teacher in India talked once about compulsive thinking and how human beings became addicted to their thoughts.
Researches show more and more it is really important to stay connected to our body. The benefits are numerous:
- The more you feel your body the more you can enjoy its good sensations and be aware of some areas needing more care or attention. It can stop you from “pushing too hard”, allow you to respond to primary needs and prevent some injuries, save you from the now common burn out..Being too much in your head builds cortisol in your system which is the stress hormone. Cortisol agitates your thinking mind, and the overthinking cycle goes on and on.
- People who develop interoception which is the capacity to feel your body from inside ( your heartbeat, the movements of liquids..) have a better capacity to process their emotions or deal with them when they feel triggered.
- When you have a better awareness of your body in space, you have more charisma. Your presence is just more palpable than someone operating only from their head. You speak as well with a clearer and deeper voice compare to when you are stuck in your thoughts which gives more power to what you say.
- You will breathe deeper and slower which is the best nourishment and increases your life span.
- You can access with some practices your body inner wisdom and listen to what it has to teach you and believe me this is endless!
- All those elements are a portal to more body love and self confidence simply!
Why do we disconnect from our primary source of replenishment? Many reasons. Society is fast paced, we have a lot to do, we run after a schedule and need to think ahead most of the time. We have been raised with knowledge being really valued over intuition and I know became more important than I feel. We have received a lots of dis-empowering messages around our body. We are spending a lots of time in front of a screen. We are going through stressful times and it is difficult to get out of the worries cycle in our head…..
Let’s find simple ways to switch from the “bicycle in your head” (french expression) to charismatic embodiment. How do you begin?
- LET NATURE TOUCH YOUR SKIN
Surfing for example which is my practice brings your body in contact with water and this sensation of touch is giving you a clear feel of your body outlines. Immersing yourself in mud, hiking and feeling the wind on your skin….it is about arousing your skin cell back to life. The skin is an organ that transmit informations to your nervous system very fast, so use it to imprint more touch which is imprinted as pleasure at a deeper level. Pleasure releases chemicals in your system which give you radiance.
- BREATHE BREATHE BREATHE
I am sure you heard or read that many times. But think about this, cancer cells can’t resist high oxygenation. Can you let that sink in and remember the power of what is always around us? Before meditating or registering for a yoga training or book a session with a healer. Sit five minutes a day and feel your breath touching you from inside. Stay with it. Breathe deeper and deeper. This can become such a calming, centering and lush practice.
- WHEN IT COMES TO YOGA CHOOSE TEACHERS WHO PUT YOU IN TOUCH WITH YOUR INNER EXPERIENCE
As a yoga teacher let me put this straight. Physical/acrobatics yoga classes are the most packed and in most places yoga teachers are paid per person. This has led to the development of work out yoga classes not because yoga teachers are so corrupted but because when they begin they need numbers to keep going. I know it is sad.
Take the time to choose a teacher who goes deeper than anatomy cues, slows down, puts you in touch with the deeper places of your bodymind, leaves silence, helps you to develop interoception.
- ACTIVATE THE PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
The parasympathetic is our best ally when it comes to body love because it is the system that restores, heals and rejuvenates. It is activated by anything that helps you to relax basically. Yoga nidra, yin yoga or restorative are the best practices to go to, any relaxation practice, massages if you have access to it, or simply REST. Rest could be the best practice for many career women or busy mums I coach who overgive and never give themselves permission to stop.
- LESS SCREEN TIME
Get an app that tracks your time on your devices and reduce, reduce, reduce. Reduce the level of dopamine in your system. Too much dopamine will agitate your thoughts and bring you back to compulsive thinking. Dopamine production is activated by looking at the social medias, comparing yourself to others and waiting for the “likes”.
- DURING OVERWHELMING TIMES, HYPNOSIS
For those of you who are going through very stressful events or transitions in your life, I have been there and I know the despair of feeling in survival mode and not being able to let go and relax one minute of the day. Save some money to offer you hypnosis sessions with a good practitioner who can help you to switch off and give a chance to your body to pause and regenerate.
- BELIEVE THERE IS MUCH MORE AND BE CURIOUS
Once you get a glimpse your body opening to sensations of spaciousness, connection, expansion, you are ready for more. Same if you accessed any experience with your energy. This is just the beginning. Research what inspires you more; jade egg practice, tantra, tao are the paths I studied and there are many other modalities. Find a guide/teacher/coach who empowers you to take action and give you tools you can use in your everyday life versus any healer who claims to “remove” any blocks or problems for you.
Even if you feel tired, uninspired and depleted remember you are never broken you just need tools to come back to your essence and natural state of wholeness. Your brain is just one of your power center it is time to explore what else is there.