Does your couch have one cushion that is more comfy than one of the others? Despite it being the same as all the other cushions? Just me? This morning I was drinking my coffee on the comfy couch cushion and I noticed an ache in my back. It’s Friday, the end of a long week, and I thought “it is what it is.” I took a second to re-frame my thinking and dive into my body a bit. Rather than think about (read: become annoyed) all of the things I could have done to my back, I was going to cultivate some awareness instead.
Embodied awareness is the idea that we can bring some mindfulness and attention to our bodies. I’ve also heard “body-awareness,” “self-awareness,” and “embodiment.” While all similar, they all have unique definitions. Self awareness can relate to how we move about in our systems and how actions impact others. Embodiment is someone or something that represents an idea or personal quality. Throw pieces of these all together, we can create a moment to be intentional in our thoughts and feelings in relation to our bodies.
While sitting on the couch, I listened to the sound of my exhale, I placed my hand on my heart to feel its beating. I invited non-judgmental curiosity into my thoughts as I closed my eyes. I also took a sip of my coffee, noting how warm it was. This mindful activity was going well and I realized that to practice embodied awareness, I needed to connect to that ache in my back. I wanted to connect my thoughts and my body, as our bodies are carriers of information. At that moment, my body and mind encouraged me to take a few walking laps around the yard. So I did! Did the ache in my back vanish? Not entirely, but I felt connected to the idea of awareness and responding to what my body needed at that moment.
Western culture is finally catching up to what has been practiced in the East since the beginning of time. A holistic approach, incorporating emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental states help us understand the functions of our thoughts and actions. This ultimately promotes wellness, recovery, and healing.
So if you want to engage in some embodied awareness, tune in. Practice yoga, dance in the kitchen, meditate, stretch in your office chair, put your feet in the grass, mindfully walk to the bus stop. Do the thing that tends to your body.
