Embodiment

As we have flipped the calendar into a new year, I thought it would be a terrific time to launch straight into the idea of embodiment. What does it mean to be "embodied"? One definition that resonated with me is: "the representation or expression of something in a tangible or visible form". The reasons I like that definition is that the words tangible and visible, as in embodiment, are things we can see and sense. This was true of a couple of my teachers who possess a certain quality in how they relate to the world.   As soon as they enter the room you can sense they have an energy about them which is calm and centered. When I came across this, I recognized it as something that I desired for myself...so, how does one go about embodying these qualities? Consistent and long-term practice, that's how. These teachers have been living their yoga practice for decades and it was simply who they were.

As I researched embodiment more deeply, I began to realize that it's the physicality of our yoga that gives it meaning. And I don't mean that it has to be strenuous physical activity but more that we sense our experiences completely through the vessel of our physical body. When we have a powerful emotional reaction to some event, we feel it. It may center itself as a kick in the gut, an electric zing in the heart, or through forming beads of sweat on our brow. We sense the experience as it's not just a theoretical event, but rather something that actually happens to us or someone we know. So if that's the case that we feel our way through the myriad of experiences in our life, then we can perhaps learn to read the language of our body to get greater insight into present moment awareness.

I studied French as a second language for over five years, so when I had an opportunity to speak French, I received a wicked awakening as I had no idea of what was being said. I'd ask a question in French and, lo and behold, the person would respond in French, but at a speed that was completely foreign to my untrained ears. I learned how to ask people to please speak slowly so I could grasp the gist of a reply. The same is true for our bodies...we so often zoom through our lives that we don't speak the language of our own body. We miss the cues completely and then wonder why we're taken down with injury or illness. One of the beautiful things about undertaking a yoga practice is that it has the potential to invite us to slow down. When we tap into the slowing down of our breath and begin to match our body to it, we are able to feel and sense the subtleties our own body is speaking. And over time, we create a deeper connection to that dialogue and gain clarity as to what we need. We begin to embody our practice through consciousness,  making gentle changes each time we come to the mat.

A growing field of interest in the yoga therapy realm is around the concept of "interoception" described by Bo Forbes as "the art of paying attention to momentary fluctuations in bodily sensations-purposefully, non-judgmentally, and without needing to change or fix anything. Think of interoception as mindfulness in the body." She goes on to say that interoception has a positive impact on our physical health, benefiting our immune system, gut microbiome, and connective tissue matrix. Interoception also helps with emotional resilience: among many things, it turns down the volume on the negative self-referential thinking characteristic of anxiety, depression, chronic pain, addictions, and other "diseases of disembodiment." 

Another hot topic in the medical field is that of systemic inflammation, thought to be the root cause of many modern day diseases. It's incredible to think that by tuning into a daily practice of yoga, meditation, tai chi, qigong or other wisdom traditions, that we can positively influence not only our state of mind, but the cascade of physical responses responsible for keeping us in good health.  It seems that many ideas of the yogis which have been practiced for millennia are starting to be supported in our current scientific research. Basically, it boils down to incorporating a daily practice, where you learn to listen to what your body is saying and respond from a place of non-judgment. Okay...sounds easy enough! Next step? Roll out your mat and get going!