Movement Meditation

Movement meditation can be simply showing up and being present with yourself in the given moment, creating space to be aware and deepen your inner reflection. I’m a big fan of cultivating safe and inclusive spaces for people to begin to reconnect with their bodies and begin an inner dialogue. One of my favorite forms of self care is authentic movement, especially the kind that gives permission for you to explore the body’s capacity for shapes in a new way. During my yoga teacher training our instructor shared a movement meditation where we started and ended our time on the mat with breath awareness and mindfulness, but progressively with the guidance of her voice we began to move in our own unique shapes and patterns. A ripple effect throughout the entire room began to happen and she invited people to move beyond the parameters of their own mats. We each were playing with texture and different posture levels, emotional expressions emerged as we painted the sky with our creative dances that were unique to each person in the room. I feel this practice is so meaningful but simultaneously simple enough that it can be integrated into the way we live our lives. It influences how we reconnect, how we show up more authentically and are less afraid of what it might look like and just begin to tap into a deeper authenticity. Movement work is an invitation to say what words sometimes fail to articulate. 

As a therapist, one of the most heartbreaking things I recognize when someone is managing the aftermath of trauma is an internalized distrust of their body. People often feel that their body has betrayed them after safety has been compromised, trauma dysregulates the nervous system. This however does not have to be the end of the story, I believe the body knows best and is one of the greatest truth tellers we will ever encounter. Interoception is a term for tapping into your body’s awareness of what’s happening internally. A few examples could be: noticing when you crave nourishment, feel chilly and need a sweater or happen to be thirsty for hydration that replenishes. In essence it’s befriending yourself on a more holistic level. These things might sound like common sense but for a traumatized person that’s not always the case. By trusting this innate, instinctual impetus and following through with care instead of ignorance is a beautiful expression of healing. This intuitive practice helps enhance your capacity to listen to your body’s wisdom and trust that it is your ally and not your enemy. Reintegration is a powerful gift that you can give yourself. We have the opportunity to reclaim a sense of well-being after harm has been endured, not only is it our birthright but it is also our responsibility to stay more engaged in real conversations that invite depth of curiosity.