“For the next 30-40 minutes, Go where your body wants to go.”
I had no idea what that meant on training day 1 of 5, but as I wandered into the arena, I was acutely aware that my head was telling me where to go. I didn’t even really understand how to “go where my body wanted to go.” “This is some weird California stuff, “ I thought to myself. “Let’s just get through this, then we’ll get to the real learning.”
When Day 2 started with the same exercise (and more days to come), I knew this wasn’t something I could just avoid. I felt like an idiot. Surely, they were was laughing at me when I wasn’t aware. It was really weird and uncomfortable to try to listen to my body, but by the end of the week, I could feel some changes. While I was still most often in my head, I recognized that my body had a voice, if I was willing to listen–and it was wise.
I took those changes and ways of inner knowing back to my work with clients and horses and it made a big difference in my clients’ ability to see and change patterns of thought and behavior.
It didn’t take long, though, for me to default back to relying on my thinking brain. After all, I had done it for so many years, it was well-practiced in doing it all. Who needs body wisdom?
The past year, I’ve been exploring again what my body has to say about things. I’ve realized that even though I thought I was being present, I really wasn’t. Or–maybe I’m hearing my body communicate on a whole new level about what I do, say, think, feel, and express. (Your body has things to say, too!)
Amazing things have begun to happen! Usually, when I’m meeting someone new, I have a bit of anxiety about it. (Don’t we all?) I wonder what will they be like? Will they like me? Will I meet their expectations? Will they meet mine? Last week when I experienced a new, deeper level of confidence and–settledness.
Because of some new practices I’ve adopted, I was attuned to my body at this meeting and none of those things entered my mind! I didn’t have to talk myself into being calm, or out of proving or appeasing. I simply WAS. There was no fear. No anxiety. No stress. I was fully present in my body, connected to myself. I was more ME…
…and it felt so GOOD.
Our culture relies and focuses so much on the intellect to solve problems, get us through the day, and deal with stress. When that doesn’t work, we might be willing to look into our emotions.
Being present in your mind is NOT the same as being present in your body. When we bring the body into the picture, our thinking, feeling, and doing become integrated and whole and we embody who we truly are.
Want to learn more about partnering with your body to trust yourself more?
Check out She Dares. This is tomorrow! Friday, Nov. 6 at 9 am CST. Free to join, but you do need to register. (Women only. Sorry, guys!)
On Nov. 17, join me for Slow Down to Speed Up at Global Entrepreneur Week Fort Worth All events are free and virtual. Register now.
