How to be in your body (if you're only just starting)

Being in your body is learning a new language: it takes time and practice.

I know life can be overwhelming at times, and we can easily lose touch with ourselves. But let me tell you something: you just need to reconnect with your body to find your true self.

Start by making it a daily habit to ask your body what it needs that day. Close your eyes, visualize your body as a separate being, and initiate a conversation. Ask it what it wants and needs that day. Trust me, your body may have different needs every day, and this simple practice can help you tune in and honor those needs.

Get to know your emotions. Your body generates and elicits emotions through physical sensations. So, anytime you feel a strong emotion, ask it what message it has for you. There is a personal truth to be discovered within that message, and it can help you reconnect with your true self.

Move your body. I know it can be challenging to start, especially if you've experienced trauma or feel stuck. But you need to start small, squeezing your muscles for five seconds at a time, and gradually increasing to more intense and powerful moves. Trust your body to guide you in releasing any trapped trauma.

Pay attention to the motions of your body. Contraction and expansion are two polar opposite motions that indicate what is good versus what is not

good for you. Being around someone who feels like contracting may not be right for you, while an activity that feels expansive is in alignment with your purpose and can bring you joy, pleasure, passion, and meaning.

Lastly, spend time in nature without any distractions and do a vipassana meditation to interact with your body. Listen to your body's wisdom and let it guide you to your true self. Remember, you are worthy of love and belonging, and the answer has been within you all along.