Freedom is a word that comes up a lot in my world.  As an integrative Physical Therapist who specializes in total mind-body healing, especially emotional & trauma release from the body, I hear statements like: “I want to be free of this pain”; “I want to be free of this issue”; “I just want to be free of this feeling.”

So what does this have to do with the body?  Well, the body is like a map or a blueprint that shows us in ways both obvious and subtle where we are free or not free. If we are in acute physical pain or physical restriction, the body is giving us a pretty obvious signal as to where we are not free.  Less obvious, until you learn how to tune in and ‘read’ the body, is that the body will show and tell us what we are holding on the emotional, mental & spiritual levels that is keeping us stuck or ‘not free’. Often, it is the lack of freedom on these ‘other’ levels that creates the physical restriction in the first place.

Here’s an example.  Recently, a woman came to my office with pain in her neck and radiating into her eyes that was not responding to “standard” treatment.  As we connected with this pain through hands-on manipulation, breath, intention and awareness, it became obvious that she was holding a tremendous amount of fear in this area.  On deeper exploration, it became clear that the fear was caused by repetitive negative and catastrophic thoughts (ie, fear of being in a car crash, fear of being alone, fear of illness).  As a result, she described feeling tight, contracted, disconnected, and stuck in her body.  As she let herself feel these fears her body was storing, she felt herself shut down and lose feeling of her body altogether as her overactive mind took front-and-center stage.

I know how she feels.  I understand the body contraction that comes when I get angry or anxious for example.  The body naturally contracts and restricts when there is pain, disease, fear or judgement at the mental and emotional levels or we feel separated at a spiritual level.  When we can bring in awareness, compassion, forgiveness and healing at these levels, we open the doors to gain freedom in every part of our lives, which is reflected in our physical body.

So, back to my client.  What do you think happened when we moved into an expanded place of positive and loving thoughts?  Try this… think of something that upsets you and FEEL into your body.  How does it respond?  Now think of something positive, fun, something you love… what happens in your body?  (Is it easier to breathe; more relaxed; are your muscles softer?) When I asked my client to do this and speak what was present for her, the first word out of her mouth was FREEDOM!

Yes!  When we connect to what is happening in our body we find the freedom we are longing for.  By allowing ourselves to slow down, feel inside, embrace what is present, become aware of what is truly going on for us, we give ourselves the opportunity to feel our truth, which then flows into our life. Ah… doesn’t that feel good?!

It can be a bumpy road as we awaken ourselves to the Freedom we are longing for, and it is a process, not a quick fix.  However, by sensing and feeling our world through our body we are more easily able to assess what is happening to us and how to take care of ourselves.

I have deep respect for body knowledge.  When I live my life including my body, I feel the deep connection to source, and that gives me tremendous freedom.  To me, true freedom can only come when we inhabit our body and live a body-mind existence.

So… what does this mean for you?  How do you do this for yourself?  How do you access your own body wisdom?  When do you take the time to do it?  And anything else for that matter… please share your thoughts!