Mindbody integration, attuned to your body, a kinesthetic intelligence. These are all ways to refer to your level of somatosensory awareness. It is important for optimal well-being as research from Pert et al. shows that emotions are not just of the mind but have direct molecules and biochemical reactions all throughout the body. In addition to working with emotions, somatosensory awareness has been shown to have positive effects all throughout the nervous system by reducing stress, improving reaction times, revitalizing areas that have been neglected from awareness, increasing whole body coordination, and showing us where our body may need some physical attention. Beyond that, somatosensory awareness allows you to create a relationship with your body where you can literally ask it what it needs. When embarking on psychological or spiritual growth, somatosensory awareness can help to bring out issues that have gotten “trapped in the tissues” that need to be worked through before further unfoldment can take place.
There are two general ways I recommend starting to work with somatosensory awareness:
1.) A sitting practice with a dedicated time (similar to vipassana body sweeping). Sitting comfortable, eyes closed. Take slow rhythmic breathes, allowing yourself to relax deeper and deeper with each exhale. Feel the exhale release through every pore of the body. Beginning at your toes, feel every toe. Feel the energy and sensation throughout your toes. Continuing to breathe slowly, move to your ankles, calves, knees, thighs, hips and pelvis, low back, abdomen, mid and upper back, chest, let your awareness drape over your shoulders, down your upper arms, over your elbows, forearms, wrists, thumbs and fingers, move it back to your shoulders, to your neck and throat, let it flow over the back of your head to your scalp, forehead and face. Feel your awareness as one pulse throughout the whole body. Any areas that were tight or contracted, bring your awareness there. Feel the pulse of that contraction. Feeling that energy, ask “Could I let this go?” Then just let it be. Continue to bring awareness to whatever areas come up as needed attention. Do this for 10-30 minutes once or twice everyday. Do this especially after an injury or during an illness.
2.) Casual use of somatosensory awareness helps to make it a part of your everyday consciousness. It’s especially useful during slow exercise such as jogging or stretching. It’s easily integrated into a yoga pose. It can also be done while driving, while seated, or during life’s bored moments.
As you infuse your body with more and more awareness it will begin to process through healing. In addition, reestablishing this connection allows you to make conscious changes to your body. You can begin to have a relationship with your body that is built on appreciation it besides just use and abuse.
Please email me with any questions or thoughts.
not intended as medical advice.
DrHartChiropractic 