Reflective practice:Your body is a reflection of your thoughts and emotions

How does this photo make you feel? What is the expression of the body? How would you feel if you created these shapes?

Have you ever paused to think, that your body may reflect what you think on a subconscious level?

One's body can be seen as a reflection of their thoughts, both past and present, in various ways. Our thoughts, beliefs, and experiences can shape our physical well-being and even manifest in our body's condition.

Firstly, our thoughts and emotions can directly impact our physiological responses. For example, experiencing chronic stress or anxiety can lead to increased muscle tension, elevated heart rate, and shallow breathing. Prolonged periods of stress may contribute to conditions such as headaches, digestive issues, or even compromised immune function. Similarly, negative self-perceptions or low self-esteem can affect posture, leading to slouching or a closed-off body language that reflects a lack of confidence.

Furthermore, our past experiences and traumas can leave imprints on our bodies. Unresolved emotional pain or trauma may be stored as tension or discomfort in certain areas. For instance, someone who has experienced a traumatic event might carry the weight of that experience as physical pain, such as recurring backaches or migraines. The body, in this sense, becomes a container for our past experiences and memories.

Moreover, habitual thought patterns and beliefs can influence our behaviors and lifestyle choices, which, in turn, impact our physical health. For instance, someone who constantly engages in negative self-talk or holds onto grudges may be more prone to chronic stress, leading to potential health issues down the line. On the other hand, a positive mindset and optimistic outlook can contribute to better overall well-being and resilience.

While the mind-body connection is complex and multi-faceted, it suggests that our bodies can serve as a mirror of our thoughts and experiences. Recognizing and understanding this connection can empower individuals to cultivate healthier thought patterns, process unresolved emotions, and make choices that promote both mental and physical well-being. 

Try these reflective practices, and answer honestly in the moment of the experience

Stand up, and just allow your body to wiggle and jiggle, then explore just moving around.in any way, dance maybe

• How does that feel?

• Do you feel silly or uncomfortable?

• Do some parts of your body move freely, and some feel stuck or stiff?

• Or can you may be totally let go and let the body flow without trying to control it or think about it?

• Is your movement being creative and or dynamic,

• Is it slow, graceful, rhythmical, or jarred, small, and awkward?

• What parts of the body or mind was not letting go?

• What stops you?

• Can you think of why that maybe?

How does this reflect how you are feeling in this very moment?

How does this reflect on what has been going on around you recently, or maybe something from way back in your past or ancestrally , maybe something someone said once that really hurt you.

Let's explore how our experiences, even from the past or ancestral realms, can leave lasting imprints on our minds and bodies. Picture a scenario where you were happily dancing, completely immersed in the joy of life. Suddenly, someone made a thoughtless comment like "What are you doing?" or "Stop being silly!" It may seem harmless, but those words can deeply hurt, causing you to freeze and feel unsafe. Especially if it came from someone you trusted, it can create issues with trust and hinder your ability to freely express yourself. That casual remark carries negative energy that gets stuck in your body, affecting the way you think, behave, and even move.

This example shows how the mind-body connection operates, demonstrating how a simple comment can have a significant impact on our well-being. By recognizing the power of these experiences, we can begin to heal, reframe our thoughts, rebuild trust, and regain the freedom to express ourselves authentically.

Reflect on this, be open to what arises, without judgement.

How has this showed up in other areas of your life?

And how can you shake that off?

Practice 2

Try a going walk, or even thinking about how you normally walk

• Start to tune in to the way you walk, is it fluid, light, soft and spirally or do you land heavy, does your head drop, arms feel stiff, chest collapse,

• Do you strut with a confidence and security of being or is there a deep underlined insecurity of trying to look confident or trying to show a presence that you are not even aware exists?

• Can you be present to the walk, can you observe the objects around you?

• Can you see the beauty in the trees, buildings, clouds?

• Can you observe your breath and your own natural rhythms?

• Maybe you notice you scurrying along, did you get from start to finish without even remembering how or noticing anything along the way, was your head stuck in the endless chatter in your mind, which is mostly just stuff about nothing, or stuck in to do lists and work.

How does all of this show up in other areas of your life? 

Your relationships with other and yourself?

Your body?

If you are constantly rushing and thinking and not reflective, how can you listen to your body and its needs. The subtle messages it purveys. (I will cover this more in another blog)

Some examples

If you have had a stressful day and you are feeling tired, withdrawn, or exhausted your body may fall forward and inward itself, the heart will get heavy and chest fall inward, arms feel heavy and an effort, maybe shoulders hike and move towards the ears, like you are shutting out the world, the noise, shoulder move into toward the heart protecting it. Your neck hurts and you feel like life is tough and everything spirals in and down.

And when you have had good news or feel amazing, you may have noticed you have a spring in your step, your heart feels light, and your arms and legs swing freer.

Do you recognise this in yourself?

Now think about where your aches are and pains.

Shoulders- taking the weight of others or for others, have you taken on their responsibilities as if they were yours? by the way this is a choice! (We will cover this in another blog)

Maybe your hips hurt or feel stiff –reflect- do you feel free to step into life, move forward in life, relationships, work? SOMETHING is stuck, what is it for you?

Constant coughing, - is this your body trying to spit words or feelings out?

Maybe you have tight jaw you grind your teeth- are you hearing or speaking your own truth? pulling back from life or your own desires?

Do you feel stuck and not say or allow yourself to feel what you truly need to experience, maybe you told be quiet or made to feel silly for something you said or for crying or laughing?

When we hold our inner and outward voice, this will stiffen our thoughts, jaw, hips, and breath and then you can see over time how this will build blockages and stiffness. (Another blog coming!)

First, we need to be aware of the links, how the body feels, what are the discomforts actually telling you?

IF you do not pause for reflection, how can you resolve these issues?

You maybe be stuck in the patterns and loops and continually cement them.

Reflection gives us a chance to liberate ourselves from these dense stuck energies; physically, emotionally, and mentally even spiritually (how we connect to others and the world around us.)

There are so many ideas we can explore, and I love this line of working, and have helped many of my clients find and ‘Sense Greater Peace’

I help, support, and empower clients understand how to release tensions of the body by movement, sound, meditation, journaling, and bodywork practices helping them to reflect on what maybe the underlying causes for their discomforts, lack of movement and bonding’s of the body. Why they keep getting the same problems over and over, maybe they are looking at the wrong “fix”

It is a very powerful practice. I hope you have found some insights along the way. Even if you do these practices, it is ongoing. we are always evolving, exploring, and thinking and being.

Enjoy the practice and if you would like to work with me, please get in touch, we can work online or in person.

Have an insightful and reflective rest of your day

much love

Sue xx

you may find this blog useful Pause & Self-Nourishment