Creating New Neural Pathways for Well-being.

Movement, along with breath is the basis of life

For as long as we are alive we are moving. Our bodies are designed to move and this is not just essential for physical health but also for emotional well-being. Movement goes beyond just keeping us physically healthy; it is essential in the processing of emotions and integration of our life experiences.

Our body wants to move in ways that support us in expressing and validating our own emotions; our movements are a way that tell us, as well as others;

"This is true for me right now, this is my experience."

We don't have to think about it too much, our body knows what to do, for example, when we see someone we love, we naturally move towards them in an open gesture. Another example is when we feel upset, we may make ourselves smaller and contract inwards. These body movements may at times be subtle and yet they speak volumes. There are certain gestural movements and micro-expressions which are pretty much universal for all humans and a part of how we navigate and integrate life.

From when we are born and all throughout our formative years, we are picking up what different movement and body language means to us, and creating our own internal map of somatic (held at a body level) experiences based upon this. When we are pre-verbal, our memories are made this way, we don't yet have the brain development to cognitively be able to put words or time frames in how we experience life, and so we create implicit memories, which are the somatic/body memories we carry within us and which inform our core beliefs and perspective. As part of the therapeutic process it is fundamental to invite the body online to tell its story and movement offers that opportunity.

Integrating Emotions through Movement

Emotions are energy in motion, they are meant to move through us, and movement facilitates this process. If/when we stop moving or are prevented from carrying out the movements our body would naturally make and more importantly need to make in different situations, then the associated emotional process can also end up being compromised; we stop feeling and enter a protective shut down state or a freeze state, and the emotions remain incomplete and suppressed within our nervous system.

The 'part' of us that needed to have that emotional experience also ends up being split off from our Self, and remains frozen at the time of the experience. Meaning it is now an unintegrated part we carry with us through life. This impacts our emotional well-being and how we relate in life.

Talking about emotions can be a first step and yet because it is on a cognitive level, for many, it can still feel challenging to actually feel emotions and the body (somatic) sensations of an emotion, which is where the integration happens. This is where mindful movement can invite a connection with our bodies and tap back into the wisdom our body holds and allow the movement to guide us where we need to go in order for emotions to be fully validated and for those disconnected parts of us to be integrated.

In a nutshell, movement helps us connect our mind, body, and spirit, creating a sense of wholeness and well-being.

Renegotiating Trauma through movement

Traumatic experiences can leave a lasting impact on our bodies and minds. Movement can play a crucial role in renegotiating trauma stored in our bodies. Through intentional and mindful movement practices, we can gently ask permission to access the wound and move towards healing on a physiological level. Through the renegotiation of energy associated with traumatic experiences, we can realign our nervous system and heal at the core.

Step by integrated step, this process reaches and attends to all that needs attending to on a physical, emotional, and energetic level. The most liberating part is that we can let the body lead and do the work without having to cognitively try and figure it out. This frees us up from having to be constantly working so hard to protect against what feels too unbearable to feel and validate.

Creating New Neural Pathways for Well-being

Our brains are incredibly adaptable, and movement provides an opportunity to create new neural pathways. When we engage in regular movement, we stimulate the growth of neurons and enhance the connections between them. This process, known as neuroplasticity, enables us to rewire our brains and cultivate greater well-being.

By incorporating different types of movement into our lives, we can challenge our brains to adapt and grow. This can lead to improved cognitive function, greater connection to the resources we already have within us, and return us to a more vital state of being.

Conclusion

Movement is a powerful pathway for healing and well-being. It can permanently transform our baseline for the way we relate to ourselves, others and life. As part of my approach, I blend guided body-centred movement for integrated healing into sessions so that you can move beyond cognitive mindset shifts through to experiencing embodied transformation in your way of being and living that supports you in creating the life you want. For more information and to ask any questions you have about my style of approach, I invite you to get in touch for a free 15 minute discovery call.