What is the Feminine, What is Embodiment & How Can it Help You?

The terms embodiment and somatics can be used interchangeably. Both referring to our connection with the body & our senses (soma), especially the internal felt sense as a vehicle for healing & transformation. 

To embody, is to inhabit, to embrace, to be. To embody something is to inhabit its essence whether fully or partly.  

Our bodies are extremely wise. As humans, inhabiting a body is probably one of our greatest, overlooked gifts. It is through our body that we are able to experience life. Through our inner and external bodily senses we are able to know what food tastes like, the pleasurable sensation of a comforting blanket, a warm summer breeze, the tingling in our heart from a music cord that hits, the exhilaration of falling in love or skydiving. 

All of this, we experience through our body. Without it, we would be mere spirit just observing, not experiencing. Hence the gift of matter that is our body and its soma (senses). 

Our body is speaking to us all the time, giving you information through your physical sensations, senses, feelings and thoughts. If you have a body, it is the unspoken way you interact and communicate with your environment, but also yourself. Just think of a vibe you get entering a room, the smell that tells you milk has gone off. 

Similarly our bodies can tell us what is true and most resonant for us. Your body is the vessel that is holding your true essence, your inner spark, so who else better to have as a guide? 

Yet for us to listen, we must become aware and develop a sensitivity to our body. We require to be present for this to happen and that is where the practice of embodiment comes in. 

What is Feminine and Masculine?

Every human body contains masculine and feminine energy within, regardless of its gender. Each body has its own natural balance of these energies. More of the one and less of the other is neither bad nor good, as each one has its own unique purpose and function. Just like each soul.

Masculine energy brings with it focus, structure, direction, productivity, predictability, linearity, analytical, thinking, protection, providing and action. Imagine "go" or "doing" energy. It is through our masculine energy that we are able to take charge, set goals and plan for the future. In the body, this can concentrate in the upper parts of the body, the chest and the head (mind).

Feminine energy relates to free flow, feeling, emotion, depth, intuition, chaos, creativity, expression, sensuality (sensation), pleasure, sensitivity, nurturing, rest, receiving and openness. Imagine “drawing in” and “being” energy. Our feminine energy allows us to open up and receive support, love and help. We are able to notice the subtle, when something is off or a need is asking to be met. It allows us to go within to nurture, to provide emotional care for oneself. Through the feminine, we are able to experience our emotions and the presence of our senses. In the body, the feminine energy concentrates around the lower parts of the body, the pelvis and hips. 

The masculine provides the safe structure for the feminine to express, create and play. Both are important. It is when our masculine and feminine energy is out of balance when we are not able to fully dance with life. Our feminine part will not feel safe to open up to receive, express and create if there is no structure, a sense of protection and stability in our life. Similarly our masculine aspect will start to feel heady, numb, boring and rigid if there is no creativity, expression and depth of feeling.  

How Can Embodiment Help You?

Through the practice of embodiment, we start to become aware of our mind and emotions, we become aware of the various dimensions of our body. Through this awareness, we enable the masculine & feminine within ourselves to come into its natural balance. 

By doing simple embodied practices, you're able to develop a sense of sensitivty to both your inner world and the world outside of you. With this skill of sensitivity, which is a muscle you can practice through devotion, you're able to fine tune your body instument and notice when you're operating from your masculine or feminine. With this awareness, you're able to know if the state you're operating from is alaigned to you or not. Embodiment helps you build capacity for what you experience, and with capacity, we are able to stay more grounded & centered within ourself, operating from a place of calm, a sense of sureness & trust. So you get to decide, how you want to show up in your life from an empoered state.

This is the aim of embodiment coaching & movement classes.