Summary of How to Be More Embodied:
The content is about the concept of living more fully in our bodies, which is referred to as “Embodied Living.” The author suggests various practices to help cultivate this state, such as taking mindful pauses throughout the day, focusing on breathing, stretching, being present in the moment, and noticing surroundings. Other practices mentioned include meditation, yoga, breathwork, movement, awe walks, coaching, martial arts, and more. The author encourages starting with small steps, like incorporating the “Embodied Pause” into daily routine, and gradually adding other practices. The importance of reflection and playfulness in the learning process is emphasized. The overall message is to embrace and appreciate the experience of living in our bodies.
*****
Summary Bullet Points:
1. Living in our heads most of the time prevents us from fully experiencing our bodies and the present moment.
2. Being more embodied means bringing mindfulness to our bodies, appreciating our breath, moving and stretching, and being fully present in the moment.
3. Embodied practices such as meditation, yoga, breathwork, and movement help cultivate a stronger connection with our bodies.
4. Starting with the Embodied Pause, a simple practice of pausing, breathing, stretching, and checking in with our body’s needs, sets the foundation for a more embodied life.
5. Incorporating various embodied practices like breathing, hydrating, eating mindfully, squatting, stretching, hanging, dancing, meditating, practicing yoga, walking, experiencing wonder, and feeling emotions in the body helps deepen the embodiment journey.
6. Learning these practices requires focusing on one at a time, exploring and reflecting on the experience, and approaching it with a playful and curious mindset.
—
How to Be More Embodied and Live Fully in Your Body
Do you ever feel like you’re living most of your life in your head? Constantly scrolling through screens, lost in thoughts, worries, and distractions? If so, you’re not alone. It’s a common human tendency to be preoccupied with our minds and forget about the rest of our bodies.
But what if there’s a way to live more fully in our bodies? To be fully present in the moment, to appreciate each breath, and to trust our actions from the heart? Welcome to the world of embodied living.
Living embodied means consciously connecting with our bodies, noticing when we’re caught up in our heads, and bringing a mindful pause to ground ourselves. It means fully feeling and appreciating the breath, moving and stretching our bodies, and being curious about our surroundings. Living embodied allows us to feel more alive instead of being stuck in a constant stream of thoughts.
So how do we transition from being in our heads most of the time to living more embodied throughout the day? Let’s explore some practices that can help us make this shift.
Embodied Pause: The Gateway to Being Fully Present
Like any journey, it’s best to start small and build from there. Begin by incorporating the Embodied Pause into your day-to-day life. Throughout the day, take intentional pauses to connect with your body and the present moment. Here’s how:
1. Pause: Multiple times a day, pause whatever you’re doing and bring your attention to the present moment.
2. Breathe: Take a few deep breaths and notice how the breath feels in your body. Savor each in-breath and let tension melt away with each out-breath.
3. Stretch: Gently stretch your neck, shoulders, jaw, and any other areas of tension in your body. Allow yourself to release any built-up tension and remember that you have a body.
4. Check-in: Ask yourself what your body needs in that moment. Do you need to move around, take a break, drink water, have some tea, or talk to a friend? Honor your body’s needs and provide what it craves.
This Embodied Pause may seem simple, but it’s a powerful tool to cultivate a stronger connection with your body and the present moment. Practice this pause for a week, and you’ll start feeling more embodied.
Embodied Practices: Deepening the Connection
Once you’ve established the Embodied Pause as a regular practice, you can further deepen your connection with your body through various embodied practices. Here are some practices that can help:
1. Breathe: Take a moment to focus on your breath. Sit or lie down and pay attention to each breath as it comes in and goes out. Savor the breath and feel a connection through it to the outside world and all living beings.
2. Hydrate: Check in with your body to see if you’re thirsty. Take a break to get a drink of water and savor it. Notice how the water connects you to the outside world, making it a part of you.
3. Eat: Instead of mindlessly consuming food, pay attention to the experience of eating. Feel the nourishment it provides to your body. Additionally, start exploring what foods would nourish your body with nutrients.
4. Act: Pause for a moment and check in with what action you’re feeling called to take next. Trust your intuition and act from the heart, rather than overthinking and second-guessing.
5. Squat: Get out of your chair and squat down on the ground. This natural resting position helps release tension and reminds you of your body’s flexibility.
6. Stretch: Choose a stretch or two that you enjoy and fully embrace the sensation. Let the stretch relieve tension, improve your body’s functionality, and remind you to care for your body.
7. Hang: If you have access to a pull-up bar or any sturdy structure, grab onto it and let yourself hang. Hanging strengthens your grip, shoulders, and contributes to other upper body exercises such as pull-ups.
8. Dance: Set yourself free and dance to your favorite music. Allow your body to move, enjoying the freedom of expression and the pure joy of movement.
9. Meditate: Find a quiet spot, close your eyes if you like, and take a few minutes to simply sit still. Feel your breath and your body, experiencing stillness and the richness of being alive.
10. Yoga: Incorporate yoga into your routine. Find a few poses that resonate with you and practice them when you have the opportunity. Yoga combines stretching and meditation, creating a powerful embodiment practice.
11. Walk: Go for a walk and fully engage in the experience of your body moving through the world. Let the stimulation of your senses awaken your mind and bring you into the present moment.
12. Wonder: As you walk or explore your surroundings, cultivate a sense of wonder. Allow yourself to marvel at the world around you, fostering gratitude for the body you inhabit.
13. Feel: Embrace your emotions and experience them in your body, rather than solely in your thoughts. Allow yourself to fully feel and express fear, sadness, frustration, anger, heartbreak, grief, joy, and love.
Remember, these are just a few examples of embodied practices. Feel free to explore and discover what resonates with you. The key is to start with one practice at a time, giving it your full attention and curiosity.
Embrace the Journey of Embodied Living
Learning to be more embodied is a journey of self-discovery and growth. It’s not about doing it right or being perfect, but about exploring what it means to fully inhabit your body and be present in each moment. Approach this journey with a playful and curious mindset, and let it be a joyful exploration of being alive.
As you embark on this journey, reflect on your experiences. Journal about your practices, blog about it, or share with someone who can appreciate your discoveries. By reflecting, you’ll deepen your learning and gain valuable insights into yourself.
Remember, there’s no rush. Take your time, experiment, and find what works best for you. Let it be an enjoyable process of finding new ways to connect with and appreciate your body.
So, are you ready to step out of your head and into a more embodied life? Give these practices a try, and let the journey unfold before you. Embrace the beauty of living fully in your body.
