HOW OUR BODY, FEELS OUR THOUGHTS.

In this practice we’re exploring how it feels to receive those thoughts.

1. Become aware of the thoughts, beliefs and judgements that you say and hold around your body, make a list of some of them. (You can also keep adding to this list as you start to bring more awareness).

2. When you notice the presence of the thought, take a pause and notice how the body feels, to receive those words.

3. What does this part of you need to feel supported?

For example:

1. “My belly is so fat. I am so disgusting”

2. My shoulders curl inwards. I collapse a little. There’s a sadness.

3. A hug. Make a hot tea and something that involves gentle movement, maybe even something creative with my hands.

HOW OUR THOUGHTS FEEL IN THE BODY.

In this practice we’re exploring what kind of sensations those thoughts feel like.

1. Become aware of the thoughts, beliefs and judgements that you say and hold around your body, make a list of some of them. (You can also keep adding to this list as you start to bring more awareness).

2. Unlike the practice above where we are feeling how the body receives the thoughts, I want you to explore how those thoughts actually feel in the body.

3. When you notice sensations begin to arise, begin to follow the breadcrumbs of sensation.

4. What support does this part of you need right now?

For example:

1. “My belly is so fat. I am so disgusting”

2. My face scrunches up. My arms feel tight and my whole body feels like it’s propelling forwards. It feels aggressive.

3. As I follow the sensations, there is an impulse for my body to stretch, as though it wants to push something away, so I do that. I growl a little with anger. There’s a deeper breath.