Healing through movement
“The body heals eight times faster when you exercise regularly.”
— Kris Carr, New York Times best-selling author
When was the last time you were fully aware in the present moment? You’re not the only one… We may be out of touch with this sensation because we’ve become disconnected from our bodies. One route to reconnecting could be found in embodiment practices. This involves connecting to our body and expressing what you feel through movement. Yes, movement.
Embodiment is about listening to our body and the signals it sends us. It is based on the mind-body connection and falls under the field of bodywork known as somatics. The film-maker Robert Bresson believed that our souls are expressed in our bodies. Therefore it should come as no surprise that embodiment practices use the body as a tool for healing: mental, emotional and physical healing.
Dance and movement (as well as Dance and Movement Therapy - DMT) are some of the core embodiment practices. They are often used alongside visualisation, breathwork and mindfulness. The more physical acts of fluidly moving our bodies through practical exercises and mindful breathing, can bring us back into our feelings and senses. They help to loosen energy, unblock our flow of qi and open up the body. Emotions, guilt, trauma, resentment and memories live in our body. When we are proud or happy, our bodies inform us; when we make a mistake or don’t follow our truth, we feel it in the pit of our stomach. Trust your gut is a saying for a reason!
We must move to release.
Embodiment involves the interaction of our body, thoughts and actions coming together. Since the mind and body are interconnected, a change in one impacts the other. Research has proven that movement therapy can assist in healing many health issues such as depression, anxiety or eating disorders. The body is made for moving on a continuous basis. When we consciously engage with our body, we tap into a source of great power that unlocks who we truly are and enables us to find great pleasure in life.
Conscious movement like this is much more than exercise, it becomes a language and a safe space for pure expression without words. In fact, there exists a ‘movement vocabulary’ that is centred around physical expression instead of words. This reflects how nonverbal forms of communication like body movements are key to improving our wellbeing. While embodiment involves coming back to the body, it also means being able to keep our mind, emotions and bodies in sync. As we become alive to the signals of our body, we can truly understand and commit to the full human experience of the mind, body and soul being alive and intertwined.
Guided Movement Improvisation
To help you on your path to embodiment, Ora Collective is hosting a virtual Guided Movement Improvisation with Dance and Movement Coach, Anna-Lise Marie Hearn. You can join the session live or tune in after at your own leisure. For more details and to reserve your spot, click here.