Unlocking Body Wisdom: The Power of Somatic Awareness

Discover the transformative power of somatic awareness and learn how to tap into the body's natural wisdom with the Lift One Self podcast. By connecting with our body's signals, such as the tightness that accompanies anxiety or the tranquility following a deep breath, we can unlock a deeper understanding and communication within ourselves. Explore how the delicate interplay of our mind and body, facilitated by the vagus nerve, can transition us from survival mode to a state of relaxation. This episode promises not just insights into the importance of creating a safe space for body awareness but also a guided practice to help you experience this connection first-hand.

Our discussion further emphasizes the significance of self-care and mindfulness, encouraging a compassionate and curious approach to listening to your body's wisdom. The insights shared here are not just for personal growth; we believe they are powerful enough to impact those around you. We invite you to share this episode and the resources offered at Lift One Self with your network. For those interested in delving deeper into this journey, our website offers opportunities for discovery calls, and we welcome you to join our community on social media for continued inspiration and healing. Remember, every step towards understanding your body is a step towards self-discovery.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Deepening Body Wisdom Through Somatic Awareness
• 13:37 Empowering Self-Care and Mindfulness

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Welcome to the Lift One Self podcast, where we break mental health stigmas through conversations. I'm your host, nat Nat, and we dive into topics about trauma and how it impacts the nervous system. Yet we don't just leave you there. We share insights and tools of self-care, meditation and growth that help you be curious about your own biology. Your presence matters. Please like and subscribe to our podcast. Help our community grow. Let's get into this. Oh, and please remember to be kind to yourself. Hey there, beautiful souls, welcome to today's episode and thank you for joining me on this journey.

Speaker 1: 0:44

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Speaker 1: 2:20

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Speaker 1: 3:02

Now let's dive into the topic of connecting with our bodies. Let's talk about something really special our body's natural wisdom. Have you ever noticed how you can feel things in your body before your mind even registers them, like the tightness in your shoulders when you're anxious, or the sense of calm after a deep breath? This is your body communicating with you. Think of a time when you walked into a room and felt that something was off without anyone saying a word, or maybe you felt butterflies before an exciting event. These aren't just random sensations. They're your body's wisdom guiding you. Today, we'll explore how to recognize and interpret these signals, which are often called somatic awareness. It's like having a compass that guides us if we're willing to listen.

Speaker 1: 4:03

Inside all of us is an incredible system that connects our brain with every part of our body. This system, led by something called the vagus nerve, acts like a communication highway, sending signals between our brain and body. There's our upper body messenger body. There's our upper body messenger, which connects to our heart and lungs. This part of the system helps us feel calm, safe and connected, supporting deep breaths and a sense of peace. Then there's our lower body messenger, which speaks to our stomach and gut, creating those familiar gut feelings when we're nervous or excited. This system is always active, guiding us towards what feels good and away from what doesn't. Today's practice will help us better tune into the wisdom Our nervous system has protected us our whole lives. Sometimes, though, it gets stuck in survival mode, making it hard to relax and just be. Today, we'll honor the system that's been taking care of us by practicing ways to reassure it, letting it know that it's safe to relax.

Speaker 1: 5:23

Now let's create a safe container for this practice. If you're driving or need to focus on something else right now, please save this for later, when you can give yourself full permission to be present with your experience. You can put your phone down, it's okay. Let's just be here together Now. If you're in a place where you can fully be present, give yourself permission to relax and just be with your body. Now. Find a comfortable position it could be sitting or lying down. Take a slow, gentle breath and feel the support beneath you. Notice the way your body is held and, when you're ready, you can let your eyes soften or close, choosing whatever feels best for you, for you, remember, at any time, if you feel overwhelmed or uneasy, you can stop the practice. You're in charge.

Speaker 1: 6:42

Begin by placing one hand on any part of your body that feels right. Be sure it's skin to skin. Maybe it's your shoulder, your forearm, your thigh, your chest, wherever feels comfortable. Listen to the wisdom of your body. Feel the warmth of your hand on your skin. Feel the warmth of your hand on your skin and notice the gentle rise and fall of your breath. This is your time to create a safe connection within yourself. Notice any sensations under your hand. Notice any sensations under your hand warmth, tingling or pulsing. As you continue this gentle touch, remind yourself that you're safe to feel whatever is there, without judgment. Let your hand move in whatever way feels soothing, maybe gentle circles or soft strokes or just holding still. Your body knows what it needs to feel safe. Knows what it needs to feel safe. Trust that wisdom. As you continue this soothing touch, know that you're safe to feel, safe to be in your body, safe to notice whatever sensations arise.

Speaker 1: 8:31

If you're having trouble feeling sensations, remember you're safe to try tapping gently instead of rubbing. Use different pressures. Move. Move more slowly. Maybe move a little faster. Start with your hands or feet. There's no wrong way to do this. Let your attention flow naturally in your body. Notice where it wants to go, what parts feel easy to sense, what parts feel harder to connect with. You're safe to explore. Feel the rhythm of your touch, creating more safety, more comfort.

Speaker 1: 9:37

With each movement, your hand might want to move to a different place now. Maybe your shoulders are asking for attention. Maybe your belly wants gentle circles. Wherever your body needs that attention. You're safe to follow these impulses. Make a deeper breath now, feeling into the flow all the way down into your belly as you exhale. Feel yourself settling deeper into safety.

Speaker 1: 10:29

Notice any places of tension or holding any knots and, with each breath, remind those places that they're safe to soften, safe to unknot, unclench and to release. Feel the life energy flowing through your body. Even in the quiet places, the hidden places, the dark places, you're safe to feel alive, safe to be fully present. If any emotions or feelings arise, know that you're safe to feel them, safe to acknowledge them, safe to let them move through you. Notice how your breath has shifted, how your body feels different. Now You've created a deep sense of safety that you can return to anytime.

Speaker 1: 12:06

Take one more deep, full breath, feeling the safety you've created, the connection you've restored. Now, when you're ready, wiggle your fingers and toes, feel the space around you. Take a deeper breath, gently and slowly open your eyes. Take a moment to notice any shifts within you. Feel the safety and connection you've created. This is something you can return to any time through your breath, through gentle touch and through mindful attention to your body's wisdom. As we close today's practice, take a deep breath and thank your body for being with you, for guiding you, for protecting you. Each moment you spend listening to yourself deepens this connection.

Speaker 1: 13:37

Until next time, remember your body. It's so much wisdom. Keep listening with kindness and curiosity. Please remember to be kind to yourself. Hey, you made it all the way here. I appreciate you and your time. If you found value in this conversation, please share it out. If there was somebody that popped into your mind, take action and share it out with them. It possibly may not be them that will benefit. It's that they know somebody that will benefit from listening to this conversation. So please take action and share out the podcast. You can find us on social media on Facebook, instagram and TikTok under Lift One Self, and if you want to inquire about the work that I do and the services that I provide to people, come over on my website, come into a discovery, call Liftoneselfcom. Until next time, please remember to be kind and gentle with yourself. You matter.