Embodiment in
Coaching & Therapy
"Maybe you are searching among the branches, for what only appears in the roots."
The evolution of psychotherapy and coaching has witnessed significant process in recent decades. We now know that trauma encompasses more than just shocks trauma, and that these overwhelming experiences become stored in the body, necessitating a form of integration. Additionally, science has acknowledged the vital significance of “soft skills” within therapy. Yet, the universal understanding that incorporating the body into therapeutic sessions and coaching, for both therapists and clients, remains incomplete. Merely a few of us are consistently in tune with our bodies and fully present in the present moment.
Embodiment extends the realm of mere physical presence. It IS part of your identity and delineates how you navigate the world. Your posture, movements, and body awareness are reflective of who you are, consciously and unconsciously. Moreover, your body has influence on our perceptions of the world, our emotions, our cognition, and our creative faculties. It profoundly shapes how you build and handle relationships and make decisions. Embodiment is therefore more than just having a body – it is about the awareness of sensing and feeling that you are the bodies. In a nutshell, embodiment is the lived experience of your body, encompassing multiple dimensions:
BODY
Body and embodiment meld seamlessly, where the physical form becomes a gateway to presence: immering in sensations and
inner experiences
MIND
Thoughts, memory, images and imagination are all tools of the mind; an embodied mind lives in the here and now and learn differentiation
EMOTIONS
Moods, tones, feelings and attitudes are all conveyed through the body: an embodied emotion aids navigating in life´s circumstances
SOUL
Emboying the soul leads us to a more fullfilled life, embracing all that we are and what makes us human, accepting every part of us, and having faith
Embodiment has proven to be extremely significant in our work as coaches and therapists, and has more than positively influenced both our work and the lives of our clients. They, as well as we, are more resourced, learn to take care of ourselves and stay in the here and now more often. This means that their actions are no longer determined by the past or future, which helps to step out of old beliefs, patterns and thought spirals in a mindful way. Embodiment has this effect because it:
- it´s a holistic approach. Embodiment views the body as an integral part of our emotional and mental and spiritual world, which is a comprehensive approach to growth and healing
- embodies our expression. Our posture, our movements, and even our breathing reflect our inner states. Therefore, we can pay attention to our expressions and gain valuable clues to our clients’ states.
- leads to deeper self-reflection. Clients as well as therapists learn to be more mindful of themselves, which can help them to be more aware of their emotions, their stories, their actions and to recognize old patterns.
- body-based techniques are used, such as breath work, body awareness and movement exercises. These techniques can regulate the nervous system, and promote the flow of energy in the body.
- can lead to lasting change, as it intervenes more deeply in behavioral patterns. Physical experiences can work in ways that purely verbal communication cannot.
- is a trauma-sensitive approach. Embodiment plays an important role with people who have experienced trauma. It can reconnect with the body, regulate the nervous system, and thus create the opportunity to be therapeutic in the first place.