Embodiment and the Physical Body

After going through Beauty and the mental body and Devotion and the emotional body, we now arrive at the third pillar of the embodied recovery path of Clear Channel Movement - Embodiment and the Physical Body.

In this blog, you will learn about how the physical body is a culmination of the prior two bodies (mental and emotional) and how a loving, self devotional relationship with your body deeply nurtures both who you presently are and who you are Becoming.

Next month, when we get to the auric body, you’ll see that it’s a culmination of the first 3 bodies. Everything is connected and it is all intertwined. We began at the mental body because the mind acts as a gateway of sorts. If there are beliefs and programming that constricts your expansion, then it will feel very much like running up against a brick wall, with doors that continue to close or feel like they need to be pried open. So, if you have not listened to the previous podcasts or read the blogs, I suggest you do so, and then come back to this embodiment blog.

I’d like to take you on a journey with as you reconnect to your body while bringing along the pillars of beauty and devotion into the physical body.

So... what does it mean to be “embodied”? It seems to be a popular word lately, at least in my neck of the woods, but popular or not, it’s a crucial aspect to having a happy and fulfilled life.

Simply put, to be embodied means to be connected to your physical body. It means you are attuned to its presence and not living mostly in your mental and/or emotional body (meaning you're not fixated on your thoughts or totally overwhelmed with your emotions and ignoring cues from your body) or a third way of dissociation from the physical body, or all three.

As an embodied woman, you are aware of your cycles and the rise and fall of energetic levels. You treat your body with loving kindness, and infuse it with intentional care. You honor the dark and the light, and understand that your body holds infinite wisdom within it.

Embodiment is our connection to the material realm, although we are far from simply being a body. The body is a means to spread the innate light within us from the inside out, which is unending, and ever expanding.

Come on a brief side quest with me for a few...

On my own recovery journey, what stood out (SO LOUD) was the process I went through to come back home to myself. Although healing and life in general, moves in a spiral, there was a very specific way in which I found liberation. This process informs how I teach the four pillars of embodied sobriety/recovery here at CCM.

When I was drinking/drugging, I was extremely disconnected from my body. And when I got sober, my mental body became VERY loud without the numbing effects of booze and drugs. Even though I was sober, I was still totally disconnected from my physical body, the antithesis of embodiment. And let me share with you, my mind was a very dark place at the time. That time was when I began my journey with shadow work, I had a lot of work to do.

What happened next was once I was able to reduce the incessant chatter of my inner punisher aka ego, subconscious programming, etc, I was hit with a tsunami wave of emotions that I had been bottling in my whole life. I had no awareness of emotional regulation and I was actually, in a way, scared of myself. I felt totally out of control with my emotions. This again, took work. A lot of it. I was anything but present, either stuck in the past or totally freaked out over the future. I allowed my emotions to get the best of me time and time again.

But I did the work, for that I am grateful and today life looks much different. I have my moments, but I don’t allow things to consume me anymore and there is freedom in that. I want this for everyone.

Once I made good progress in the first two bodies on my personal journey, I arrived at my physical body. The one I had used and abused for so many years. The body that had been violated repeatedly, with a nervous system that was totally burnt out. I was a shell of myself, especially as a newly single mama of a newborn. The journey back to self love was long, but the experience I had when my soul landed back in my body and I felt actually safe, was priceless. Beautiful. Truly there are no words.

Next, came the energetic body and unweaving all of the clogs and snarls that were being held on to so tightly mostly unbeknownst to me. Eventually, the energy was unwound, and unraveled and reorganized. It was during this time when I learned of a gift I have of untethering and organizing energy and guiding people back to their own radiant, innate and sacred essence with. I had to go through so much darkness to uncover this gift, it wasn't found in a training, book or course but through descent into the darkest recesses of my journey. I hold this sacred.

Truth be told, the “work” isn’t done. We don’t ever get to a point that we are “fixed” but we get to a point where we live and learn through experience, through love rather than shame and self rejection. We are able to be present, see the beauty in the world while being deeply connected to our light.

I digress, back to embodiment.

So often we get distracted, and tuned way far out from our body and what it is communicating with us. Unless we have dedicated time that we spend in movement or somatic meditation, we may not be able to hear its calls. This doesn't take hours each day. It is about showing up consistently, and doing it in a way that is enjoyable be it yoga, tai chi, hiking, dancing, wherever and however you like to move and connect with your sacred self.

The body speaks through sensations and with just a bit of effort and intention, we can begin to connect with them, release some ish when needed and elevate others.

This month, I invite you to commit to connecting to your body each and everyday.

It can be as simple as sitting and tuning in to her sensations. Or being more present when you are putting on lotion, brushing your teeth, exercising, etc. Be aware of what you are putting into your body - including food, liquids and your thoughts (as they inform your body) and do it consciously, not glued to a screen. Savor the bites and sensations.

The mind directs and the cells of your body are always listening, while your sacred frequency holds the web with which you weave.

Remember - your body is an altar unto itself.  It is an ascension vehicle to help you learn, grow and experience life and expand the wisdom of your soul.

If you'd like to start the month by creating an altar and devoting it to your physical embodiment, def. check out the blog I wrote on devotion here.

So…

Working with the physical body through the lens of self devotion is a powerful way to come back home to yourself.

Where to begin?

Presence - tune into your body. How is she feeling? Is there tightness or pain? Are you holding on to tension? Does your body feel expansive and light? Doing a general scan is a simply way to let your body know you are present with her.

The Breath - in the morning set time to reconnect to your body, through your breath. It doesn’t have to a long process. 3-5 minutes of conscious breathing is powerful in and of itself.

Movement - make time for movement, everyday. Whether it’s as simple as stretching or something more like going to a group class, or gym. I make it a general requirement to put on music and dance for three songs.

The Senses - Begin to incorporate your senses into your daily life. Put down your phone while you eat, tune into the textures and flavors.  Bring beauty into your home with flowers. Wear your favorite scent. Stop to smell the roses, literally. Listen to music, speak love into yourself. Wear your favorite fabrics. Touch your body as if you love her. Tune into the felt sense by getting curious about your inner sensations, what is your body trying to communicate with you?

Nourishment - on all levels. The food you eat and what you drink. Kind thoughts. Empowering content. Baths. Self massage. Nature is the ultimate nourishment and it is free!

Especially for women in recovery, reconnecting to the body is of utmost importance. The path of embodied recovery requires extra nurturing after addiction. The body needs to learn that she is safe once more, and then she will begin to both soften and strengthen.

Here are some tips to creating an embodiment practice you can do everyday, without  needing to much time to connect to your body…

<<Create a playlist of at least 3 songs, better if you’d like more. Or listen to this huge playlist I’ve been creating on Spotify here.>>

I invite you to begin to bring a greater awareness into how you breathe. Notice if you have a tendency to take short and shallow breaths, or perhaps you tend to hold your breath during certain life situations. Do you best to become more cognizant of how you breath in your day to day life, outside of meditation.

Bringing awareness to your breath is an essential practice. It can be as simple as taking three deep breaths in through your nose, and out from either your nose or mouth. Conscious breathing is incredibly beneficial and has many health benefits including inner peace, stress reduction and more.

Breathe with awareness because...

awareness facilitates transformation.

Come into child’s pose, stay here for at least 5 deep breaths. Allow your body to sink into the mat. Then come to sit up, and sit back on your knees. Set an intention. And then practice dirgha (3-part) breath. Breathing in and out of your nose, begin inhales by directing your awareness to your lower belly, then bring your breath and awareness into your rib cage and then up to your heart, slowly exhale back down, chest, rib cage and then down to lower belly. Repeat.

Moving your body in wave like motions while linking the breath is an incredibly beneficial and simple practice as well. To warm up your body, come to sit on your yoga mat, either in easy pose or sit back on your knees, rest your hands on your lap and circle your shoulders, arch and round your spine, moving slowly and with intention. Circle your ribs and hips, allowing for your breath to be your guide. Move your arms as waves, circle your wrists, roll your head.

One hand on heart, one on belly. Rib circles. Widen knees, hip circles, shoulder rolls, etc.

Allow your body to move you just as it desires in the moment. Perhaps coming up to hands and knees, into what’s known as table top in yoga. Arch and round your spine, even making circles with your ribs Imagine yourself slithering like a snake, or moving like a wave. Perhaps you make your way to standing and allow yourself to be danced. See where the music and your body take you. There’s nothing to “do” or accomplish here but simply be with your body and your breath.This can be done in silence or with  music that  helps to illicit these movements. Link your breath, to the beat of the music and and move your body in alignment with the two, and you will find yourself moving as one.

Suggested embodiment meditation: the Home/Body session  on CCM’s sister YouTube channel, The Sacred Frequency

If you’d like a more structured embodied movement session, check out one of my embodied yoga flows here.

Next month (January, holy shit!!), I am launching a series of Body Wisdom workshops the first Sunday of every month. You can sign up for them here.

If you’d like extra support, consider booking a Soma session to reconnect to your body and sacred essence on a deep level. Book here.

Thanks so much for being here.

Stay tuned for the next pillar, Eros and the Auric body!!

Much love,

Amy