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Writer's pictureFred Day

Embodiment Misconceptions

Updated: Feb 16


 

I have so many gripes with social media. Especially Instagram. Noticing how hooked i'd become and how much my original thought and opinion was being manipulated, i recently begun my withdrawal process.



Yet, I want to briefly bring up something that I noticed comes up again and again on social media related to the field in which I work, and which is worth clarifying for the deeper and more integral development of mankind. That is, a clarification around what embodiment is and the prevailing misconceptions.



So to be clear: embodiment isn’t just an embracing of one’s sexuality, nor is it mere athleticism. I notice the first pertains more to new-age feminine empowerment circles , and the latter with men's work. Now, I am not here denying the importance or potency of either. Really, I am one who dives deep into both these areas.



Instead, I want to catch onto the misconception that these things are what embodiment is all about, and instead state that although both have a huge role in embodiment, embodiment (proper) is so, so much more.

Sexuality and athleticism serve as powerful (arguably the most powerful) tools in one's embodiment, but should not be equated with embodiment and they are certainly not necessary for embodied development.



Embodiment is about body awareness. It is about inhabiting our bodies deeper and more precisely. It is a cultivating of bodily sensitivity - the ability to notice the messages our body conveys in different situations, and how we inhabit and operate our body on a moment-to-moment basis - particular is stressful, triggering situations.



Yes, sex and physical athleticism are great avenues to deeper embodiment, but not all sex and sport is embodiment - in fact both can lead to dysfunctional disembodiment.



Just envision the perfectly routined gymnast or ballet dancer, who is perfectly choreographed, an aesthetic wonder, but who in the process has learnt to dissociate from the pain of the body, who has installed certain movement patterns so deeply that they know nothing else when invited to dance freely in a nightclub.



Or, the person who remains constantly in their head when making love, overly cautious as to whether they are performing adequately or meeting some standard set by the latest 'sex guru' on their social media feed.



 


Embodiment is about feeling and expression. Attuned feeling and authentic expression.



To have that in both our love making and our movement practice is when they become art.

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