Somatic Mindfulness

We have to be “in” our body to heal and to live a happy, meaningful life. So why do so many of us “live in our head”?

When something is too much for us, when we’re overwhelmed and under resourced, we store unresolved trauma in our body. This happens to us as children and as adults. It makes sense that we escape into overwork, food, shoe shopping, screens, alcohol and other drugs, and most damaging, we escape into our heads. We disconnect from our body and our heart. We leave ourselves behind.

There has been a significant increase in western cultures in the acceptance and integration of mind-body practices in various areas, including healthcare, workplace, fitness, and wellness. These are two examples.

Integrative Medicine: The integration of mind-body practices, such as meditation, yoga, and mindfulness, into conventional healthcare settings. Many hospitals and medical centers now offer complementary and alternative medicine programs like psychologist and meditation teacher Richard Miller’s iRest protocol for healing PTSD.

Education: Mindfulness-based programs like Goldie Hawn’s MindUp help students develop focus, emotional regulation, and stress management skills. Educators are recognizing the potential of mindfulness practices to enhance overall well-being and improve academic performance.