Listening to your body for healing is a powerful yet uncommon practice in a world that values constant doing over rest. In this post, I share a personal embodiment experience that unfolded through stillness, self-acceptance and intuitive listening, revealing how the body communicates its needs when we slow down. This reflection explores the deep connection between the nervous system, emotional wellbeing and physical symptoms, and how partnering with the body rather than trying to force or fix it can support meaningful healing.
The experience happened last Sunday morning. It began with me writing in my “magic book” which is where I write a diary of things I would like to happen as if they are already my reality. My entry started:
Dear Diary
I have had a nourishing day – slow paced doing things I want to do. I feel relaxed, unwound, peaceful, light, uplifted.
I have had a good laugh.
Time felt expanded.
My skin calmed and cleared.
My body cooled and relaxed.
I breathed in beauty and peace.
I feel acceptance of myself.
I nourish who I am rather than wishing I was other.
The eczema/hives I get on my neck had been inflamed, irritated and burningly itchy for the past week. As I sat and wrote, my attention went to that, and this is what flowed through me:
I let go into acceptance.
I send love to my eczema and ask my body what it needs for balance rather than trying to fix my body.
I partner with my body rather than seeing it as something other to be controlled.
I trust that my body knows what it needs for healing and balance.
Cells of my body, what do you need to feel balanced and peaceful? What do you need to connect to the stream of wellbeing?
“rest” they whisper.
The thing that feels like the hardest ask of me.
I have known the healing path for years, but the world outside beckons me to action. Today I give what I can. Today I close my eyes to the world and rest with my body.
Today, that is enough.
I lay down and listen
Not imposing any practice
Simply noticing what my body wants in this moment
I sense the reply “to be held”
I wrap my arms around her
I breathe
I feel
Thoughts intrude – I send love to my thoughts and let them float through my head
I am just here
The container
The holder of space and awareness
I say to my body, “I am here for you now. I am listening.”
The part of me that fears being seen emerges.
I sit with her and ask her what she needs to feel safe; ask her how she can feel safe while I can live my dream.
she says, “Don’t over-ride me.
Hold my hand when you make yourself visible.”
I hear her and hold her.
And I listen once more.
“Anything else?” I ask my body.
“There’s too much heat in the brain” my body replies,
“too much forcing”
“What do you need for balance?” I ask
Softness
Flow
Feminine energy
Being held
Gently flowing water
It may seem strange to you to communicate with your body in this way. This is the embodiment practice we were taught when I did my coaching training with Layla Martin. However, I was doing it intuitively before I did the training. It is not some special ability. I believe everyone can learn to tune into their body and subconscious mind in this way. There is an aspect of intuition to it and an aspect of receiving from a greater awareness or consciousness. Sometimes things come to me as a felt sense, sometimes as a visualised image, and sometimes as words that drop into my awareness rather than me consciously thinking them.
If you are anything like me, one of the hardest parts about doing a practice like this is giving yourself time, stillness and quiet to connect and listen.
This type of embodiment practice where healing is facilitated through listening to your body has facilitated significant mental, emotional and physical healing for me. My intention in sharing this experience is that it may provide some information or insight that may also be of benefit to you. If you want to know anything more about this then feel free to message me or email me at info@janinelattimore.com
Aroha nui, much love
Janine
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