Know Your Body

Interoceptive Awareness

Awareness of the sensations and feelings in your body is important in knowing your body. This is called interoceptive awareness. Awareness of feelings of hunger, fatigue or tension. You may notice heat or warmth building in your body. Interoceptive awareness is being aware of your heart racing, your jaw clenching or tingling somewhere in your body. Interoceptive awareness is important if we want to feel safe and comfortable in the world as we move, play and work.

Taking a moment to breath, to relax and feel, establishes a space to connect with yourself and your body. Whether it be a yoga class, a meditation practice or a mindful walk or run, make time for you and get to know your body. It only takes a few moments to make that connection.

Let’s Try It Now

Bring yourself into a comfortable seat. Feet flat on the floor automatically grounds and connects you to the earth. Bring your back to rest at the back of the chair. Your eyes can gently close, or your gaze is soft. Face is relaxed. Shoulders away from your ears. Belly is soft.

Bring your awareness to your breath. There is nothing else you have to do but notice your body breathing itself. Notice the rise and fall of your chest and your belly as you breath. If it’s helpful, bring a hand to rest on your belly or chest. Continue to notice your breath. Every time your mind wanders, which it will, gently and nonjudgmentally, bring your awareness back to your breath. If you mind wanders 100 times, bring your awareness back to your body - to your breath.

After 30 seconds or one minute or two minutes, gently open your eyes and notice how you feel inside. Are you aware of any sensations or feelings in the body? Are you aware of any thoughts or emotions? What did you notice about your body? How does it feel to be in your body? What did you notice about your breath? Does your breath change when you bring your awareness to it? Do you change when you bring your awareness to your breath/body? Do you feel more connected to your body? More present in the moment?

Check In

If you like how you feel, I encourage you to take several moments throughout the day to pause or take a step back and connect with yourself, with your body and your breath. Try to do this every day at least once a day. You might keep a journal or a written record of what your notice about your body. Check in and let me know how it’s going.