Listening to Your Body's Wisdom
As I’ve mentioned here, I recently completed a certification in Somatic Coaching process called b3®- body based breakthrough®. A process that uses journaling, breathwork and gentle movement to hear the wisdom of your body. And there’s so much wisdom there.
I’m excited to bring B3® more intentionally into my individual and my membership groups.
What I love about this coaching method is that it centers around your body and your nervous system, and it’s so gentle. We create space to help you explore your body’s wisdom and knowing.
Overdoing
Through the 12-week B3® somatic certification course, I’ve learned (and reaffirmed) that my default mode is to push through. Push through stress, push through pain and fatigue, and repeat the pattern of overdoing.
I joked with my mom that I’d come by overdoing honestly while watching her in childhood.
I was feeling down after my second hip replacement surgery. I was exhausted, in pain, and feeling a little depressed that I wasn’t feeling better. This was probably day 3 post-surgery. Through the somatic coaching process, I recognized that I was expecting myself to feel better. And that feeling sore and tired was a judgement about me. I wasn’t resilient enough. That somehow, I was failing. And I resented my body for not being able to do what it used to without thought.
And for many highly sensitive women we learned to bypass how we were feeling because we were told our feelings, sensations, behaviors, imaginations were too much.
So, you—like me— learned to push past, ignore, shut away the messages that your body was desperately trying to share with you.
And you learned to model the behaviors and actions of the people around you—like your mom or dad, or other caregivers—in order to fit in.
When this pattern is a lifelong habit it takes effort, patience, time, and compassion to get to know and rewire your nervous system so you’re not constantly over-riding it.
And part of the process is getting to know your own unique somatic sensations and nervous system. Learning when your body is saying it’s too much, or slow down, or STOP!
How often do you listen to your body?
If this is a new concept, here are some tips to help learn more to what’s going on inside you.
These questions can help when exploring your body, mind, and spirit.
· What does stress feel like in my body? What is the pain, or tension in my body trying to tell me?
· When I’m feeling overwhelmed and need help or support, are there parts of me that resist or judge me for needing other people?
· When do I take time to rest? Only when I’m exhausted? Or before it gets to that point?
· What sensations do I notice when I’m feeling at ease, comfortable, safe?
· What/who are the places, people, pets, experiences, gestures, objects that support me feeling settled, safe, at ease? These are my resources.
As you begin to recognize that you’re feeling energetically unbalanced then you can implement the practices that bring you back into balance and feeling more regulated.
Here’s a brief exercise that I love. It helps you feel grounded and present anywhere, anytime—thanks to Mathew Cooke and B3® coaching for this orienting practice.
You can do this sitting or out walking.
Get settled in your chair or in your body.
Feel your feet on the floor or ground below you. Notice the weight of gravity as it holds you safely here on Earth.
Begin to let your eyes wander around your space. Notice the colors, textures, light, dark. Where do your eyes want to land?
Now listen to the sounds in your environment. What is the faintest sound you can hear? What are the sounds nearby…farther away?
Feel the air on your skin. Notice where your clothes touch your skin.
Is there a taste in your mouth?
Are there smells or scents that you’re aware of?
Now close your eyes and notice your breath as it moves in and out of your body. Notice the rise and fall of your chest, your belly, your side body and back body.
When you’re ready open your eyes and check in with how you’re feeling and sensing now.
I find this practice helps me feel present, safe, calm. How about you?
If there are nervous system regulation practices you use regularly, I’d love to hear about them!
