How Embodiment Practices can boost your Emotional Resilience

Embodiment Practices can Benefit Your Mental Health and Wellbeing, Reduce Stress, Improve Mood, Enhance Creativity, and create Deeper Connection

Boost Your Mental Health and Wellbeing with Embodiment Practices

In this very unsettled time in the world, when one can feel so helpless, we need to practice self- care and persevere with the work that is important to us even more. Not only to resource ourselves on every level, but so that we can be of the best service to humanity, to make this world a better place.

In prioritizing our self-care, we need to honour our body's signals for both rest and rejuvenation. I created Niio Dance so that we can live fuller, more authentic lives, but I realise that for some people out there, dance can still invoke fear, and perhaps that is why there are so many marketing gurus that tout how to improve your popularity on social media without having to dance on 'tik tok'.

Why is that so unnerving for many of us? Surely we are not still so concerned about what others think are we? Having fully matured into adulthood? Surely we do not have to suffer from comparisonitis when we’re at a simple social gathering of friends or family, do we?

Although I love to dance and occasionally all night, I have realised that some of you may not have really felt the full freedom of dance since your youth. Perhaps on a weekend of revelry at a festival for a few hours, but then its back to being a serious adult by Monday morning.

Dance can feel vulnerable, after all it is the only art form where we Are the art – which is quite unique, and I would like to remind you here that

As dance at a fundamental level means that you are fully 'present in’ or ‘inhabiting’ your body, I would like to go back to basics to talk about embodiment. 

What is embodiment?

Embodiment is a term that is now gaining a lot of visibility especially in the fields of coaching and business, as well as in psychology, spirituality, and wellness. It is in essence an integration of the mind and body connection, the profound understanding and lived, felt experience of being in the body. It encompasses the idea that our bodies hold 'wisdom', and that by cultivating body awareness through somatic awareness and specific exercises, we can access a deeper level of self-knowing.

Understanding the Mind-Body Connection

In today's fast-paced world, it can be easy to lose touch with our bodies. We are so trapped in our digital world of screens, and social media; that our brains are on overload.

Embodiment reminds us to recognize that our thoughts and emotions have a direct impact on our physical well-being and vice versa.

We can incorporate somatic awareness into our daily routine through subtle exercises that can be simple yet profound:

- we can immediately drop into a deeper presence

- more grounded and calm.

Somatic practices such as yoga (when done mindfully and without ego), tai chi and conscious dance encourage us to:

- slow down

- to focus on the sensations and movements of the body

- allow us to listen into its signals and messages

- to be fully present in the moment

- to feel the ground beneath our feet

- to feel the breath moving through our bodies.

Experiencing Presence in the Moment:

Embodiment encourages being fully present in the Here and Now. It's about letting go of past and future, distractions and preoccupations, and immersing ourselves in the present moment with a heightened sensitivity to the way we inhabit and take up space in the world.

Then, if we enter into freer movement and embodied somatic dance, we can go one step further.

We explore our sensations and notice the feelings and emotions that may arise

We drop into deeper realms of our psyche

We find new ways of self-expression.

We may enter into a timeless state of flow where our bodies, breath and music (if present) merge into one.

We lose a sense of our boundaries and limitations, of who we are in time and space.

Sensory Awareness:

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We are acutely aware of our sensory experiences, including: touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. Embodiment involves being fully engaged and experiencing in the world. We also refine our inner awareness or 'interoception.'[1]

Interoception is a part of kinaesthetic learning. It helps us to understand and feel what is going on in our bodies. For example children who struggle with the interoceptive sense may have trouble knowing when they feel hungry, full, hot, cold or thirsty. Having trouble with this sense can also make self-regulation a challenge. 

In this way, embodiment practices provide a pathway to achieving a healthier work-life balance, as they encourage you to listen to your body’s needs, recognise when you are overstretching yourself and to honour your limits. NB In specific cases our interoception can be faulty eg with PTSD or people suffering from high anxiety, where for example, their hearts might start racing from irrational fear. And our interoception can also be ‘biased’ [2]

Emotional Resonance:

Embodiment involves acknowledging and embracing our emotions as they manifest in our bodies. For example, feeling a tight chest when anxious, a warm feeling in the heart or butterflies in the stomach when experiencing love.

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If we move and dance with this, we allow ourselves the freedom for expression or release and it leads to a more authentic expression of one's true self

Somatic Intelligence:

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Somatic intelligence refers to the wisdom of the body. It includes our body's innate ability to heal and to adapt. 

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Our body communicate with us through our physical sensations, our emotions, and listening to the subtleties of our intuition such as with ‘gut feelings’. In fact our gut is often the first place to complain when we are feeling anxious or under stress. Containing over 30 neurotransmitters, our stomach has been dubbed our second brain, with the gut- brain axis being one of the most important and powerful relationships in the body. [2]

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We are all so busy and ‘on the go’ that we do not stop to really listen to our bodies and what they need. If we take the time to listen into our body, to what it is trying to tell us, we can avoid a lot of the injuries and illnesses that we experience. Only when we have an accident or fall into dis-ease, do we really stop to listen and take better care of ourselves.

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Holistic Well-Being:

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Ultimately, embodiment is about holistic well-being. It encompasses our physical health, our emotional balance and spiritual connection, as it recognises that all these aspects are interconnected and vital for a fulfilling life.   

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Or, to use modern ‘Somatic’ terminology, somatics looks at our ‘soma’ – our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual body.

Benefits of Embodiment Practices for Mental Health and Wellbeing

When we are receptive to our bodily sensations, we are not caught up in the ruminations of the mind. By dropping out of our busy ‘beta’ brain, when we drop into conscious movement and dance, we can slow down to access the creative, visionary brain frequency of ‘alpha theta’ and tap into our parasympathetic nervous system.

When we practice embodiment we can:

Reduce stress and anxiety

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By cultivating a deeper connection with ourselves, we can learn to notice the subtle cues of our body that indicate our stress is rising, allowing us to release tension. For example by noticing our breath and becoming more mindful of how we are breathing, we can actively regulate our breathing pattern to enter into our parasympathetic ‘rest and digest’ nervous system, and invite in calm.

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Improve mood and emotional regulation

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In our fast-paced modern world, it is easy to become disconnected from our bodies and overwhelmed by our emotions. Unlike our ancestors our lifestyles are generally a lot less active, and after a distressing event we may not have the space or time to fully process it before another one occurs (eg a stressful incident at work, to then come back to a noisy chaotic home) 

 

And the accessibility to the world though the internet offers both convenience and a lot of distraction, including the aforementioned comparisonitis that social media can ignite. Embodiment can be a powerful way of containing and processing our emotions. 

Through moving and dance, our emotions have a place to go or be channelled through, a shape they can create, a rhythm for expression, a voice to be expressed. Vocalising is something that I wholeheartedly encourage in Niio Dance, arguably the most powerful sound therapy of all, as the vibration has come from within us. 

 

Through somatic awareness we can tap into a wellspring of resources within that enable us to navigate life's ups and downs with greater ease and resilience. By learning to regulate our emotions, we can find a better way to be. 

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Enhance self-awareness and self-acceptance

Discover the power of self-acceptance as you learn to embrace your body with all its unique quirks and qualities.

Through somatic education you will cultivate a deep sense of self-awareness that goes beyond subjective judgements. By dropping out of your mind and entering into body consiousness, you can come to a clearer place of presence, an internal knowing that validates you. When you realise that you are in fact ‘enough’ as you are, you can make choices that align with your true desires.

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Stress and overwhelm will diminish as you redefine a better work-life balance, prioritizing your well-being and nurturing your body and mind. A cautionary reminder here that this is an ongoing life practice, life will continually throw curveballs at us, but we will be better informed and better resourced. It is not about being able to embrace new zen-like calm, but perhaps we can be more honest and real.

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Enhance creativity

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By tuning into the physical sensations in our bodies and being more attuned to our emotions and inner experiences, we can join the dots to integrate and create new conversations between our mind and body.

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Somatics and mindful movement practices like Niio Dance provide a means of physical release and relaxation, but are also powerful tools for inner guidance and self-discovery. As we move we have hightened awareness and our brain waves slow down to the meditative alpha-theta frequencies, opening up new pathways of vision as we enter into new realms of consciousness. We can unlock our creative potential and access a wellspring of inspiration as we tap into the depths of our being.

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Deeper connection to others

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To establish a deeper connection to others, it is crucial to cultivate inner body awareness. (I am no feminist, but yes Gentlemen I am looking furtively at you - with Love). This is where the ancient practice of Tantra rears her gentle head, incidentally a far cry from the bastardised neo tantra that frequently attracts unsavoury characters of the, sorry to say, generally male species.

By engaging in somatic practices, we become more attuned to the subtle nuances of our bodies, such as in underlying tensions, niggling pains, as well as pleasure. This heightened awareness enhances our well-being but if we connect to our hearts to practice compassion, we can empathize with and understand the experiences of others on a deeper level.

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For example when we see a black African person, depending on our personal inclinations we may perceive them with hesitation, stereotyping them as a potential thief. Here our interoception can be biased, as our heart responds to what our eyes see, through a perception that is prejudiced. [3]

If we look at them with compassion, there will be no place for fear. We may see them as the downtrodden in society who have historically suffered through slavery. We may see them as familiar, kindred spirits if we are from similar descent.

Of course, if it was that simplistic the world would not be bleeding so much. Ancestral traumas and personal tragedies cause such excruciating wounding that we see that pain turn into destruction. If only the perpetrators could pause and take breaths long enough to become calmer, and let their anger be released without destruction to others. But that involves being less in their heads, less ego entered, ego driven. 

 

Though somatics we develop the ability to communicate nonverbally and connect in a more profound, authentic way. This may be through gestures, facial expressions, body language, or simply with more powerful and magnetic presence.

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By embracing somatic practices, we can foster a more compassionate and empathetic society, where understanding and acceptance flourish. And it has to begin with us.

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The Link Between Embodiment and Emotional Resilience

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These practices, rooted in the understanding that our bodies hold wisdom and carry emotions, can be the key to transforming your life. By cultivating a deep connection with your body and understanding when it is stressed or triggered or when it needs to rest and be still, for example, you can find new choices for how to be in any situation.

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By listening to your body's signals, and being able to recognise and release tension, you can come to equilibrium. This newfound body awareness can empower you to navigate challenges with grace, strength and flexibility.

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Embodiment practices for adults with busy lifestyles

Embodiment practices such as movement and dance are particularly valuable for those of you who are overwhelmed by the demands of your fast-paced lives. They are an opportunity to carve out dedicated me time to reconnect with yourself, and find harmony amidst the chaos.

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And it can begin with the simplicity of taking your time to get out of bed mindfully in the morning (rather than jumping up in a panic about the time), enjoying a good stretch and yawn, and a few minutes of meditation to prepare for your day. If you have the time to move, shake and dance a little as well, even better! NB Your favourite song or soundtrack will most likely be around five minutes, ten at the most.

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Final thoughts on the importance of emotional resilience and selfcare

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It is important to remember that emotional resilience is not something we can achieve overnight. It takes time, effort and dedication to build resilience and practicing self-care is a key step in this process.

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Engaging in activities that bring us joy and peace can help us to stay grounded and cope with difficult emotions. And connecting with a support network of people who understand us and our struggles can help us to feel upbeat and know that our struggles are a universal part of our human existence.
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Embodied and somatic practices like Niio Dance nurture all aspects of our being, and it is a journey of self-discovery that leads to richer, fuller expression and a more fulfilling experience of life.
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By first connecting into the physical layer of our body, we have our fundamental grounding for support.

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Grounding is the first pillar of the Niio Dance Map of Connection, and the first module of the signature program Roots and Wings : A Calling of the Soul, which I will be launching soon.

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I will be talking more about Grounding in the next blog.

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In the meantime if you haven't joined the FREE mini course EMBODY yet, then now is the time before I take if off the FREEbie page next week. 

Every day over 4 days you get drip fed a mini video that gives you a new tip to help you get into your body and relax.

You can access the course here:

https://lp.niiodance.com/embod...

[1] 'interoception' - the feeling of knowing what is happening in your body, for example if you are hungry, thirsty, warm, cold, etc.:

Interoception allows us to experience many body sensations such as a growling stomach, dry mouth, tense muscles, or racing heart.

Mindfulness activities could be helpful for kids who struggle with interoception.

INTEROCEPTION | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

[2] Our second brain: More than a gut feeling - UBC Neuroscience

[3] Interoception: How We Understand Our Body’s Inner Sensations – Association for Psychological Science – APS

Categories: ancestors, connection, dance, embodiment, mental health, somatics