Nurturing Self-Love and Self-Compassion with Embodiment Exercises

In the journey of reconnecting to our true, authentic essence, one of the most profound transformations we can experience is the embodiment of self-love and self-compassion. 

As we navigate the complexities of life, it's easy to get caught up in the cycles of chasing our “not enoughness”. We can do this a number of ways like seeking external validation to prove our worth, or becoming stuck in self-limiting patterns of self-doubt, negative self-talk, comparison, perfectionism, and people pleasing, all in an effort to feel worthy, loved, and whole.  And as a result, we become disembodied and disconnected from the truth of who we are, often ignoring the whispers of our hearts and the wisdom of our bodies.   

Embodying self-love and self-compassion starts with extending kindness and understanding towards ourselves. It's about embracing our flaws, quirks, and imperfections with tenderness and acceptance. When we treat ourselves with the same compassion we offer to others, we are able to nurture a deep sense of self-worth and cultivate more inner peace.  

And while we might understand this on a cognitive level, if we work with the body as well, it becomes even more effective to help us make the internal shift. One of the most gentle, compassionate ways to get back to our true essence is by slowing down the body and the nervous system.  When we slow down and get into the body, this helps us to get present to the direct experience that we are having. As we listen to the body, move the energy in it, meet any resistance we are having with love and compassion, we build a sense of trust within in ourselves. When we embrace this mindful connection between mind and body, we can create a stronger foundation of self-love, allowing us to honor our true essence and navigate our experiences with compassion and grace.

There are a number of embodiment practices that can help us slow down and drop us into our body.  

Here are three of my favorite "slowing down" embodiment practices and inquires:

1. Conscious Breathing - Laying down on a mat, allow your whole body to surrender and relax on the mat. Gently close your eyes or soften your gaze. After a few minutes, gently place your feet on your mat and have your knees point to the sky. As you settle in, turn your attention to your breath and allow your breath to find it's own rhythm. Notice the sensations and temperature of each inhale and exhale. Next, scan your body for an areas of tension. Once you locate an area, with loving kindness, visualize sending your breath to that area of tension in the body. Use your body's guidance to listen for the cues to move to different areas of tension in the body and continue until your body guides you to finish the exercise.
   

2. Mindful Walking – Either outside in nature or in a quiet room in your house, walk very slowly.  As each foot lands on the ground, pay attention to each muscle, bone, and tendon that lands on the ground.  Keep moving very slowly around your space. Next, notice each leg, and continue to move your awareness slowly up the body. Notice your hips, your spine, your chest, your arms, your shoulders, your neck, your eyes.  Then turn your attention to your five senses. What do you see, feel, taste, hear, and touch? Spend a minimum of one minute with each sense.
   

3. Seated Hip Circles - Sitting tall on a mat, bring the soles of your feet together. Take a few moments to relax into this seated position. Next, in a very slow motion, move your torso in a clockwise direction. It's very important to let your body lead the exercise. Don't force or push your body in any direction it doesn't want to go. Listen to how your body wants to move. After a few slow circles in one direction, switch to counterclockwise direction.  Play with making big and small circles in both directions.   
   

After you do one or all of these exercises, ask yourself these questions:

• What insights or feelings arose as I engaged in these gentle practices?
  

• What does my body, heart, and soul want me to know?
  

• What is the most nourishing and loving thing I can offer myself in this moment?
  

• What do I need more of?
  

• What do I need less of?

Next, ask your self for an intention or a mantra to use when you are wanting to nurture or cultivate more self-love and self-compassion. One example might be "I love and trust myself and the wisdom of my body."

Lastly, give your body an acknowledgement or hug as a way to thank your body.

Practicing these exercises can help us access and release stored tension, emotions, and patterns held within the body, and it helps us let go of the anything that is not empowering us. Body awareness also helps us create a nourishing and supportive internal environment. By showing our body, mind and heart that we are prioritizing ourselves, even if it's only for a few moments, we are building trust within ourselves, which leads to living more authentically and confidently. We are also able to to transform our beliefs about ourselves and rewrite the narratives that no longer serve us.

If you are tired of feeling like you are not enough and you want to stop striving for your self-worth, I invited you to connect with me by booking a free discovery call here.

Let's connect and see how coaching can transform your relationship with yourself and your self-worth. It's time to embrace your inherent worth!

~An embodied life is an empowered life!~