Body-oriented psychotherapists often talk’s about contact with the body. But what is it exactly? In many ways, this is work with attention, which in the normal mode of life, usually, focused on mental processes, bypassing what happens to the body.
Below, the main components that reflect contact with the body:
I am present with attention in this moment and it is directed inward.
I am aware of sensations: pressure, heat, burning, tingling, tension, pain, trembling, vibration, tickling, cold, stiffness… I feel the impulses of the body: sexual arousal, the desire to shrink, open up, win, hit, make any movement, laugh, yawn, scream, howl, smile, stretch, tighten muscles, relax …
I feel and observe my breath, allowing myself to breathe in and out more and more freely. I can feel tightness in my breathing and after, expand my breathing pattern.
I can track how this or that feeling lives and is reflected in my body and with the help of breathing I allow it to open up. This happens again due to attention, free inhalation and facilitating exhalation.
I react in time to changes in my body. If I experience stress, I feel how my body reacts to it and I can help myself with breathing. I react in time to the appearance of symptoms of the disease and try to provide myself with physical and psychological help.
I feel my boundaries and can give feedback to another person if he crossed them. I know where is my comfort zone.
I respond in time to the needs of my body. This primarily applies to proper rest, nutrition and physical activity.
I enjoy sex. I can relax, I allow myself to realize the bodily impulse in sex. I feel and can name zones where there are pleasant or unpleasant sensations.
I love my body, I appreciate and accept it.
If at some point you have tracked the problem area, then at least working with attention on your own, you can begin to change strategies, attitudes, and actions. For deep work, turn to body psychotherapy.