The Year of Body Oddy Oddy: Intentional Practices for Body Awareness
As a Healing Centered Coach and Trainer, I stay informed about the trends influencing Changemakers globally. In 2024, there has been a notable shift towards focusing on the body.
I’ve coined this the year of "Body Oddy Oddy" to capture the emerging body awareness trends among many Changemakers.
This change reflects the aftermath of the post-COVID-19 world, where numerous Changemakers have felt disconnected, fatigued, and disoriented while adapting to the new normal.
To prepare for this transition, I have been educating myself and my community of Healing Centered Coaches on integrating body awareness into coaching. This initiative has led to valuable collaborations that enrich our knowledge of somatic and ancestral practices for personal development and healing.
Recently, we had the privilege of hosting Erin Trent-Johnson, a talented liberation coach who entered coaching to help individuals, particularly those from diverse cultural backgrounds, rediscover their inherent strengths.
Erin's coaching journey inspired her to address the impacts of racialized capitalism and overcome feelings of inadequacy and self-neglect.
This exploration deepened her relationship with her body and highlighted the potential of connecting our somatic experiences with our inner selves.
In a concise one-hour session, Erin introduced us to two transformative exercises.
Somatic Practice: Intentional Breathing Inviting Body Awareness
The first, was a Intentional Breathing & Body Awareness Practice that was both empowering and grounding. Use the outline of this exercise below to benefit from this impactful practice for personal growth and healing.
Begin by observing your breath, focusing on its rhythm and pace
Feel the air's temperature as you inhale through your nostrils and exhale through your mouth
Take three slow, deep breaths, holding each for a moment before releasing.
Inhale through your nose, hold for four counts, then exhale through your mouth with a shh sound for seven counts
Feel your belly expand and contract with each breath
Acknowledge the sensations of expansion and contraction in your body
Notice the energy centers in your sacral and solar plexus areas
Observe any shifts, vibrations, visions, or messages that arise
Pay attention to your senses – taste, texture, sounds, and visuals
Embrace any insights, ideas, or sensations that emerge
Connect with what resonates most with you
Find your center in the present moment with curiosity and compassion
When ready, gently return to your surroundings with awareness
Take time to scribe, draw, or journal your experiences
Share your reflections with compassion and curiosity, knowing it's a personal expression of your somatic journey
ABCDEF Embodiment Practice
The second exercise was an embodiment practice that she calls ABCDEF. This practice was developed to support you to grow in awareness around what sh&% you might be holding onto in your life.
It begins by inviting your gut in as your trusted guide and partner in delivering you real information that you can use to gain clarity. Erin recommends that we pay attention to six ways that our gut is communicating with us physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
She uses the acronym ABCDEF to introduce the practice, using her signature coaching question invitations below:
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How is your appetite?
How has it shifted/changed?
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How frequent are your bowel movements?
How would you describe your bowel movements? (e.g. shape, color, texture, etc.)
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What are you craving?
How have your cravings changed?
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What have you been dreaming about?
What messages are you getting from your dreams?
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How is your energy?
What supports you to feel energized?
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What’s making you feel fatigued?
What parts of the day are you most fatigued?
These exercises left our community feeling grounded, clear, and connected with our bodies. After this exploration, participants shared a sense of empowerment and rejuvenation.
The shared experience brought us closer together, fostering a deeper sense of understanding and unity within our group.
It was truly uplifting to witness the positive impact that this practice had on everyone involved, reminding us of the importance of self-care and communal support.
Connect with Erin through her platform and community at BlackMamaBody Experiences, and on Instagram @blackmamabody or @erintrentjohnson on LinkedIn.
