What is Embodied Awareness?

Embodied awareness is awareness of one’s body and its sensations. Being present in our body is a way to connect more deeply with the present moment and experience life more fully.

 

What is the difference between Embodied Awareness and Presence?

In the context of this course, Embodied awareness is awareness of one’s body and its sensations whereas presence includes embodied awareness and encompasses a focused awareness on our external environment and the beings and things included in it.

 

What is the experience of being embodied?

Embodied Awareness can be experienced in many ways. It’s important to understand that our body holds the physical manifestations of all the emotional and traumatic experiences we have had. When we quiet our mind and are present with our bodily sensations, we may experience these held energies, or what I call ‘Latent Energetic Traumatized States’. This may feel like stuck energy, tingling, buzzing, a painful sensation, a feeling of being in a state of ‘flight/fight’, or embodiment might be experienced as a warm and pleasurable sensation in the body. The possibilities are endless.

 

What is necessary to have Embodied Awareness?

• Safety - A sufficient clearing of one’s bodily traumas and held emotions to feel safe enough to not disassociate.

• Acceptance - An acceptance of one’s body and self.

• Body awareness - This comes from practice in shutting out the external and internal noise to be with the physical sensations of the body.

 

Awareness of our body is important for:

• Being Present – Body awareness, or embodied awareness is the foundation of being present.

• – With non-judgemental awareness on our physical body sensations and a deep listening to the messages that it holds, a letting go and healing can occur.

• Feeling safe – When we feel connected and aware of our body, we experience the strength and vitality that we possess.

• Connecting to our higher, wiser self – Having body awareness supports in hearing the messages from our body’s innate intelligence or intuition.

• Relational Abilities - Being able to connect and empathize with others on a deeper level.

• Physical Health - Understanding our body's signals helps us identify when something is wrong, such as pain or discomfort, which can be an early indicator of illness or injury.

• Food Satiation – The ability to be present in our body supports in knowing when we are hungry and need to eat rather than emotional eating or because ‘it’s that time of day’. It also supports in knowing when we have eaten enough to sustain us.

• Injury Prevention - Being aware of how we move and hold our body can help prevent injuries. This is particularly important in sports and exercise, where proper form and technique are crucial.

• Coordination and Balance - Good body awareness improves coordination and balance, which are essential for daily activities and overall mobility. It helps us move efficiently and gracefully, avoiding unnecessary strain or awkwardness.

• Mind-Body Connection - Awareness of our body fosters a stronger connection between the mind and body. This can enhance mindfulness, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.

• Posture and Ergonomics - Knowing how our body feels in different positions can help us maintain good posture and ergonomic habits, reducing the risk of chronic pain or musculoskeletal issues.

• Emotional Awareness - Emotions often manifest physically. By being attuned to our body, we can become more aware of our emotional states, which can be beneficial for emotional regulation and mental health.

• Performance in Physical Activities - In sports, dance, and other physical activities, body awareness is key to performing at a high level. It allows individuals to fine-tune their movements and improve their technique.

• Rehabilitation and Recovery - For those recovering from injury or surgery, body awareness is crucial for rehabilitation. It helps in regaining strength, flexibility, and function.

 

Overall, body awareness is an essential aspect of health and well-being, affecting both physical and mental aspects of our lives.

 

What are the factors that can prevent us from being present in our body?

• Stress and Anxiety - High levels of stress and anxiety can cause us to become disconnected from our bodies as we focus more on our worries and thoughts. This can lead to tension and a lack of awareness of physical sensations.

• Sedentary Lifestyle - Spending long periods sitting or being inactive can reduce our body awareness. Without regular movement, we may lose touch with how our body feels and functions.

• Distraction and Multitasking - In our busy, technology-driven world, constant distractions and the habit of multitasking can keep us from being fully present. This can lead to a disconnection from our physical sensations and bodily needs.

• Chronic Pain or Illness - Persistent pain or chronic health conditions can cause people to dissociate from their bodies as a coping mechanism. This can lead to a decreased awareness of other sensations and signals from the body.

• Negative Body Image - Poor body image or self-esteem can lead to a negative relationship with one’s body. This can cause individuals to avoid paying attention to their physical sensations or to dissociate from their bodies.

• Negative Beliefs and Emotions – Holding negative emotions such as shame or guilt can keep us from being present. Emotional trauma can lead to a disconnection from the body as a protective response. This can manifest as a lack of awareness of physical sensations or a feeling of being “out of touch” with the body. If I’m present I may not like what I see in myself, in others or my surroundings, or other people may not like me.

• Cultural and Social Norms - Certain cultural or social norms may discourage paying attention to the body, such as prioritizing productivity over self-care or promoting unhealthy beauty standards.

• Lack of Mindfulness Practices - Without regular mindfulness practices, it can be easy to lose touch with the present moment and the physical sensations in our bodies.

 

Addressing these barriers often involves developing mindfulness, engaging in regular physical activity, managing stress, and cultivating a positive relationship with one’s body.

 

Is Embodied Awareness practice the same as meditation?

Being present in our body and meditation are related concepts, but they are not the same. Being present in our body involves being aware of physical sensations, posture, movements, and the overall state of our body. It’s about tuning into the body’s signals, such as hunger, tension, relaxation, or pain.

 

Meditation is a broader practice that involves training the mind to achieve a state of calm, focus, and clarity. There are many forms of meditation, some of which specifically emphasize body awareness (such as body scan meditation or mindful breathing). However, meditation can also focus on other areas, such as thoughts, emotions, or external objects (like a candle flame or a mantra).

 

While body awareness can be a component of meditation, meditation encompasses a wider range of practices and goals. For example, some meditation practices focus on cultivating compassion, exploring the nature of the mind, or achieving a state of deep concentration.

 

In summary, being present in our body is often a part of meditation, especially in mindfulness practices, but meditation itself can involve a broader range of focuses beyond just the physical sensations of the body.

 

Is Embodied Awareness practice spiritual or religious?

Being present in our body, often associated with mindfulness or body awareness, can have spiritual or religious dimensions, but it is not inherently spiritual or religious in nature. The practice of being present in the body can serve different purposes depending on the context in which it is practiced:

 

In a secular context, being present in the body is often part of mindfulness practices, aimed at enhancing well-being, reducing stress, improving focus, and promoting physical health. It is commonly used in therapeutic settings, such as in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

 

Many spiritual and religious traditions incorporate practices that involve body awareness. For example:

• In Buddhism, mindfulness of the body is a foundational practice. It is often used to cultivate awareness of impermanence and to deepen understanding of the mind-body connection.

• In Hinduism and certain spiritual traditions, yoga practices often emphasize awareness of the body, breath, and energy flow as a means to achieve spiritual growth and inner peace.

• Some Christian practices, like contemplative prayer or centering prayer, may involve body awareness as part of the process of becoming more attuned to the presence of God.

• Various indigenous and shamanic traditions also emphasize the importance of being in tune with the body and the natural world as part of spiritual practice.

 

In summary, while being present in the body can be a component of spiritual or religious practices, it is also a valuable practice in secular contexts for its benefits to mental and physical well-being.