I use this exercise frequently in my Holistic Pulsing workshops; it allows the participant to become more sensitively aware of their body, to connect with it, sense the actual way it moves and the way it feels.
- Choose music that has some energy and variety to it, I like to play African drumming music (just one track for this exercise), you will find this type of music will really gets your energy and body moving.
- Stand in a relaxed position, close your eyes and look inward, take a few clear deep breaths and connect with your body as much as possible, breath deep into your tummy.
- Just spend a few moments noticing what it really feels like to be in your body, in this moment. Be aware of both pleasant and unpleasant sensations, notice any aches, pains, and tightness located in your body.
- Now begin moving with the music, starting with your feet and moving up through the legs, spine and shoulders to your head, shake each part of your body loose, taking your time moving the entire body until you being to feel a nice buzz of energy throughout your body.
- When the track comes to an end just stop, standing, lightly swaying. Take your awareness of a specific part of yourself. Sense its shape, its function, and its feelings.
- If there is something you’d like to learn about that body part just ask… Feel your body and sense what is going on. Maybe some places are tight, some other relaxed. If you do feel tension, exactly how is the tension tugging; is it up, down, back?
- Don’t rush, listen to your body, what sounds can you hear? Is it a cry, a scream, laughter? What song is it singing… is the music fast, slow, happy, does the song have words?
- Notice the some other part of your body – just how do they feel? Do they feel alike? Visualise walking together with your partner, a young child, your father, how are you affected to your body?
- Let your body full permission to express itself, it may perhaps be in words, feelings, sounds, movement or images.
- Breathe slowly and deeply into the whole of your being, and observe what has changed. When you find yourself ready to end, ground your awareness fully by taking three deep breaths.
What’s so transformative about gaining knowledge through our bodies is usually that the learning is deeply experiential and much more lasting. Enjoy your body-as-teacher, it holds deep wisdom and knowledge that it waiting to share with you, your job is to learn its language and connect.