The secret to creating a life that makes you feel alive and deeply satisfied lies in living in harmony with all parts of yourself—mind, body, and spirit. True holistic success comes from integrating these aspects.
Many of us know we can shape our reality through our thoughts, beliefs, and actions. However, even when our vision and goals are clear, we may still feel blocked, preventing us from taking aligned action. This is because our physical bodies house our emotions, nervous system, and senses. Without addressing unprocessed emotions, memories, and traumas stored in our bodies, no amount of courses, self-help books, affirmations, or talk therapy will fully free us from feeling stuck.
Our bodies are incredibly smart, finding ways to move forward even when we suppress our emotions and traumas. The nervous system, comprising the brain, spinal cord, and a network of nerves, regulates bodily functions and responses. It significantly influences how we perceive and respond to stimuli. The autonomic nervous system, including the sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) branches, impacts our stress levels, emotional states, and overall well-being.
Our nervous system’s job is to protect us from perceived dangers. This mechanism saved our ancestors from wild animals, providing the adrenaline and cortisol needed to fight or flee. Today, our nervous system reacts similarly to everyday stressors like receiving a negative comment, speaking on stage for the first time, or sharing our offers. When we step outside our comfort zone, our bodies signal that we’re unsafe. Though our minds know we’re not in real danger, we subconsciously cope by binge eating, feeling ill, scrolling on social media, or engaging in busy work instead of actions leading to our goals.
Emotions signal our needs and desires. By tuning into our emotions, we can understand our deeper desires and what brings us fulfillment. For instance, loneliness might signal a need for connection, while stress might indicate a need for rest or a change in environment.
So, how can we use this knowledge to work for us instead of against us? Embodiment holds the key to unlocking our superpowers. It’s how we can transform blocks into building blocks to reach the next level. Embodiment is the practice of being fully present and aware in your body, integrating mind, body, and spirit. It involves experiencing and expressing life through physical sensations, emotions, and movements, recognizing the body as a source of wisdom and insight. By tuning into bodily sensations and being mindful of their relationship with thoughts and emotions, we can achieve a deeper connection with ourselves, leading to more authentic self-expression, emotional regulation, and holistic well-being.
Core Desires Underneath Every Trigger and Block:
- Safety and Security
- Connection and Belonging
- Autonomy and Freedom
- Nurturance and Care
- Expression and Creativity
- Growth and Learning
- Balance and Harmony
- Pleasure and Joy
When we people-please, procrastinate, or scroll, we may not be serving our goals, but we are meeting one of these core desires in some way. For example, not sharing your offer might provide a sense of safety and belonging by avoiding potential rejection. To meet the core need for safety while taking action toward your vision, we can develop new patterns.
Embodiment Cycle Roadmap: Desire -> Thought/Belief -> Body Sensations/Shape -> Emotions/Feelings -> Actions/Habits -> Results/Consequences
Example: Desire: Embodiment practices have transformed my life, deepening my relationships and helping me become my authentic self. I want to share this gift with others.
Old Belief Cycle:
- Thought/Belief: “Others are more qualified and experienced. I need more courses before I can share.”
- Body Sensations/Shape: Shallow breath, clenched fists, shoulders caving in, feeling small.
- Emotions/Feelings: Anxious, stuck, yet also comforted and safe by playing small.
- Actions/Habits: Buying more courses, scrolling for validation.
- Results/Consequences: Not sharing offers, unable to help others, reinforcing feelings of unworthiness and isolation.
New Belief Cycle:
- Thoughts/Beliefs: “When I share my story and experiences, I celebrate myself and help others do the same.”
- Body Sensations/Shape: Hands on heart, open shoulders, deep breaths, smiling, taking up space.
- Emotions/Feelings: Excited, grounded, energized.
- Actions/Habits: Sharing offers, inviting people, speaking from the heart, creating on social media.
- Results/Consequences: Feeling fulfilled, building confidence, making progress, feeling whole.
By processing our emotions to meet our needs, we can break cycles that work against us. For instance, noticing when we hold our breath during a tough conversation allows us to shift from defense mode to open-hearted listening, starting with taking deep breaths.
Emotions are just energy in motion. If processed, it takes about 90 seconds to move through an emotion. Otherwise, suppressed emotions can lead to dis-ease in our bodies, potentially manifesting as anxiety, depression, and other illnesses.
Embodiment Practices to Incorporate:
- Mindful Movement: Yoga, tai chi, qigong, focusing on slow, deliberate movements with breath awareness.
- Dance/Movement Therapy: Using dance to promote emotional, cognitive, physical, and social integration.
- Breathwork: Techniques like diaphragmatic breathing, box breathing, or holotropic breathwork to enhance awareness and release.
- Authentic Movement: Moving freely with eyes closed, observed by a witness, to explore inner experiences.
- 5Rhythms: Dynamic movement practice including flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical, and stillness rhythms.
- Ecstatic Dance: Freeform dance sessions encouraging spontaneous movement and self-expression.
- Contact Improvisation: Dance form based on spontaneous interaction between two moving bodies in contact.
- Body-Mind Centering: Experiential study of the body’s systems, tissues, and cells for improved awareness and movement.
- Walking Meditation: Applying mindfulness to walking, bringing attention to each step.
- Somatic Writing: Writing exercises focusing on bodily sensations and experiences to deepen self-awareness and expression.
I hope this provides insight and helps you turn your blocks into building blocks. Embodiment must be a part of our daily lives. When integrated, you’ll notice more pleasure, aliveness, resilience, and wholeness in business, relationships, and life. I’m excited for the magic that unfolds for you through embodied living. Please reach out if you need support on your journey. I’d love to connect with you. Below is my contact information, along with details about a membership offering live embodiment practices daily and an extensive library of recorded practices to support your journey.
Bio:
Nica is driven by a profound passion for guiding others on their journey towards self-discovery and honoring their inner authority. With expertise in dance, coaching, and mindfulness, she is dedicated to creating safe and nurturing environments where individuals can connect with themselves on a deeper level.
Certified through the Dharma Coaching Institute, Nica brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her work. Her mission is clear: to foster self-acceptance and liberation, enabling individuals to freely express their uniqueness and embrace their true selves.
Through her compassionate guidance and unwavering support, Nica helps people cultivate a sense of empowerment and authenticity. Her commitment to creating spaces of transformation allows individuals to break free from limitations, embrace their full potential, and live life with courage and authenticity.