Our relationship with the world can only mirror and express the relationship we have with our bodies. Having estranged ourselves from the body and its wisdom, we find ourselves also estranged from the world and its wisdom.
Philip Shepherd, The Embodiment Manifesto
Movement-based therapies have been around for centuries, with different forms emerging at different times. But what is embodiment coaching? What does it involve? And how can it help us process trauma and improve our wellbeing? In this comprehensive guide, we will explore all of these questions and more. We’ll take a look at the history and science behind embodiment coaching, as well as some of the different forms it can take. So whether you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating topic, or you’re looking for a new way to improve your health and wellbeing, read on!
What is Embodiment Coaching?
Embodiment coaching is a type of therapy that uses movement and embodiment practices to help people heal from trauma and improve their wellbeing. It is based on the belief that our bodies hold the wisdom of our lived experiences, and that through movement and embodiment practices, we can access this wisdom and use it to heal.
The origins of embodiment coaching can be traced back to the work of Wilhelm Reich, a psychoanalyst who developed a form of bodywork known as character analysis. Reich believed that trauma is stored in the body and that by working with the body, we can release this trauma and improve our health.
Reich’s work was further developed by Alexander Lowen, who created a form of body psychotherapy known as Bioenergetics. Lowen believed that the way we hold our bodies is a reflection of our inner emotional state and that by working with the body, we can change our emotions and improve our wellbeing.
Different Forms of Embodiment Coaching
There are many different forms of embodiment coaching, but they all share a common goal: to help us connect with our bodies and the wisdom they hold. This can be done through practices such as breathwork, meditation, embodiment practices, and body-mind centering.
Body-mind Centering
This is a type of embodiment coaching that uses movement and embodiment practices to help people connect with their bodies and the wisdom they hold. It is based on the belief that our bodies hold the wisdom of our lived experiences, and that through movement and embodiment practices, we can access this wisdom and use it to heal.
Body-mind centering is a form of embodiment coaching that was developed by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, a pioneer in the field of somatics. It is based on the belief that our bodies are living organisms with their intelligence, and that by working with the body, we can connect with this intelligence and use it to improve our health and wellbeing.
Ecstatic Dance
Ecstatic dance is a form of embodiment coaching that uses movement and music to achieve a state of ecstasy. It is based on the belief that the body and mind are connected, and that by moving the body, one can also change the state of mind. Ecstatic dance has its roots in many different cultures, including indigenous peoples, who have long used dance as a way to connect with the spirit world.
Feminine Embodiment
Feminine embodiment is a form of embodiment coaching that focuses on helping women connect with their feminine energy. It is based on the belief that feminine energy is powerful and can be used to heal the world. Feminine embodiment coaches help women to access their feminine energy through movement, breathwork, and meditation.
Rewilding
Rewilding is a form of embodiment coaching that focuses on reconnecting people with nature. It is based on the belief that humans are natural creatures and that by reconnecting with nature, they can heal themselves. Rewilding coaches help their clients to connect with nature through activities such as hiking, camping, and spending time in nature.
How Can Embodiment Coaching Help?
Embodiment coaching can be an effective way to help process trauma. The focus on movement and the connection between the body and mind can help people to access memories and emotions that they may have been suppressing. By working with a coach, people can learn to release these emotions in a safe and supported environment.
Embodiment coaching is a powerful tool that can be used to help re-establish a connection with their bodies, release and process stored energy and gradually increase somatic intelligence, access a wider range of emotional states and increase energetic capacity to deal with life.
You may be surprised at how quickly working with a coach trained in various somatic processes can help you to have a very different experience of being in your body and living your life. .