Okay, so I’ve been diving into this thing called “Integral Somatic Psychology,” and let me tell you, it’s been a bit of a journey. I’m not gonna lie, I stumbled upon it quite by accident, while I was digging around for ways to, you know, just feel better in my own skin.
First, I started with just reading about it. Lots of reading. I found some articles and a few books. It all sounded really interesting, like this idea that our bodies hold onto emotions and experiences, and that we can work with that stuff directly, not just by talking about it.
Then, I moved to actually trying some of the practices. It felt a little weird at first. I mean, I’m used to journaling, or meditating, or talking to a therapist. This was…different.
My Little Practice Routine
- Body Awareness: I started with something simple: just noticing my body. Sounds basic, right? But I realized I’m usually so stuck in my head that I’m completely disconnected from my physical sensations. So, I started spending a few minutes each day just sitting and feeling. Feeling my feet on the floor, the air on my skin, my breath going in and out.
- Emotional Tracking: This was trickier. The idea is to notice where in your body you feel different emotions. Like, when I feel anxious, I realized I get this tightness in my chest and my shoulders hunch up. When I’m happy, my belly feels soft and my face relaxes. It’s like learning a new language, the language of your body.
- Gentle Movement: I also incorporated some gentle movement. Nothing crazy, just some stretching and swaying. It helped me to release some of the tension I was holding in my body, especially in my shoulders and back. It was kinda like shaking out the cobwebs.
- Grounding Exercises: One of the things, I focus on, is grounding. It is really helpful, especially when I’m feeling overwhelmed or anxious. I usually do this by standing with my feet firmly on the floor and imagining roots growing down into the earth. Sounds a bit woo-woo, I know, but it really does help me feel more centered.
It took a while to get the hang of it. There were days when I felt like I was just sitting there, feeling nothing. But I kept at it. Slowly, slowly, I started to notice shifts. I felt a little more connected to myself, a little more present. It was like I was finally starting to listen to what my body had been trying to tell me all along.
The biggest change? I’m starting to handle stress a little better. Before, I’d just get completely overwhelmed and shut down. Now, I’m able to notice the physical sensations that come with stress, and I can use some of these techniques, like grounding and gentle movement, to calm myself down. It’s not a magic cure, but it’s definitely helping.
I am still exploring, and I am still learning. But It has already made a difference in my life, and I’m excited to see where it takes me.
