Stepping out of the shower, I could still feel the last drops of my international journey lingering on my skin. It had been an hour since I’d returned to my home in the US, and I was clearly aware that the extensive travel and the shift in time zones were likely to demand their due from my body. With that in mind, I gently reminded myself to approach the rest of the day with grace and ease, allowing for a soft landing back into my routine.

Bending over to unpack, I was caught off guard by a sharp pain shooting through my back. It was a struggle to straighten up, and disappointment washed over me as I realized my back was protesting. I managed to make it to a chair and sit down, feeling let down by my own body.

It’s hardly a revelation that long hours spent in cramped airplane seats can take a toll on one’s back. Even so, I had hoped that the stretches I performed mid-flight and my conscious decision to ease back into the day-to-day would spare me any discomfort. While traveling, I nurtured myself diligently, keeping up with my daily rituals of self-Reiki, stretching, and meditation. Nevertheless, here I was, back on home ground, and my body was clearly trying to tell me something. But what? What was it that I was overlooking?

Navigating Emotional Blind Spots

Just as we navigate the roads in our cars, we also journey through the landscape of our inner selves—complete with its own blind spots. If you’ve ever driven a car, you might have experienced that heart-skipping moment when you almost miss noticing another vehicle in your mirror, hidden in your blind spot. It’s an easy metaphor to grasp for anyone who’s ever been behind the wheel.

In the realm of therapy, we encounter similar unseen areas. These are the parts of ourselves that we might not readily see or acknowledge but which can unexpectedly steer our lives, just as a missed car in the next lane can alter our course on the road. Recognizing and illuminating these blind spots is a critical part of the healing journey, offering us the chance to navigate our lives with greater awareness and safety.

Emotional blind spots frequently originate from processes that are not within our conscious awareness. These can be repressed memories, emotions, or experiences that a person has not fully processed or acknowledged.

Emotional blind spots can also happen when we develop defense mechanisms to protect ourselves from psychological discomfort. These mechanisms can create blind spots, as they often prevent us from seeing the truth about our actions or feelings.

Returning to my own narrative, the sharp twinge in my back was more than mere discomfort—it was a message calling for my attention. It prompted me to embrace the very practices I advocate and embody in my work: the journey inward to seek clarity from the deep, intuitive wisdom that resides within my body and soul.

I paused, took a breath, and asked for clarity. It wasn’t long before the answer emerged, as clear and evident as the pain that prompted my reflection. Physically, I had been attentive to my needs while abroad, keeping up with my routines. Yet, emotionally, there was a deficit. During my trip to Israel during the war, I was really there for the people I cared about. We had deep, honest talks, and I listened to their heartbreaking stories. I wanted to be there for them, to listen well, and I did that. But in doing so, I had unintentionally gathered the weight of intense emotions and pain, absorbing them into my own being. My body, resilient as ever, supported me through this, allowing me to remain composed and attentive. Yet, in the process, I overlooked the necessity of creating space for these heavy emotions that I had collected.

Thankfully, the signal came through loud and clear—manifested as back pain—prompting me to pause and reflect. It was time, I realized, to carve out a sanctuary for these emotions to be acknowledged and felt. I found a quiet corner where I could be alone with my thoughts and feelings. Gently, I connected with life-force energy through Reiki and allowed the emotions that I had been carrying to rise to the surface. I let them wash over me, not rushing or dismissing them but fully experiencing them. I gave myself the permission to be vulnerable, to feel every wave of sadness, empathy, and the complex tangle of feelings I’d carried back with me. And as I did, I could feel the heaviness lifting, bit by bit, until a sense of lightness began to take its place.

Our Bodies: Reflective Mirrors of Our Inner World

Physical pain and discomfort often have a clear physical cause, but they can also be signs of something deeper happening inside us. Sometimes, it’s hard to figure out what that is. It might feel easier to ignore our feelings than to deal with the deeper emotions they’re pointing to. Many physical symptoms that Western medicine can’t diagnose often improve or even heal when we address their root causes.

Our bodies often serve as mirrors, offering us a glimpse into the hidden corridors of our emotional landscape. When we experience a physical sensation, it’s an opportunity—an invitation, really—to delve deeper and listen closely. It’s a chance to uncover what might be stirring within our emotional or mental realms.

While traditional medicine tends to focus on alleviating symptoms, a more holistic approach is to gently peel back the layers to reveal the root cause. We understand that the whispers of the body are often echoes of the mind and heart. By tuning into these messages, by really listening, we can trace the path back to the source of discomfort. It’s there, in that space of understanding and connection, that true healing begins.

Embracing Embodiment: The Path to Healing Through Somatic Practices

Recognizing that our bodies reflect our inner emotional world is just the beginning. The next step in our journey towards wholeness involves embodiment—immersing ourselves fully in the wisdom of our physical form. It’s about moving from passive recognition to active engagement through somatic practices.

Embodiment is not just a concept; it’s a lived experience. It’s the practice of grounding ourselves in the body, of learning its unique language of sensations and responses. Somatic practices offer us tangible pathways to do just that. These methods—ranging from mindful movement to breathwork, from dance to therapeutic touch—invite us to not only listen to our bodies but to also respond to them.

As we engage in these practices, we become fluent in the language of the body. We start to understand how to process and release stored emotions, how to navigate our inner landscapes through our physical experiences. This is where true transformation can occur—not just in our minds, but in the very cells of our bodies.

Reflecting on the day I got back from my travels after I acknowledged my body’s signal and allowed myself to feel the emotions, it was time to use some somatic exercises.

In the sixth chapter of my upcoming book, ‘Becoming Soulful: Six Keys for Profound Client Transformation in Your Therapy, Coaching, or Healing Practice,’ I detail a collection of tools and somatic exercises that I find invaluable, both in my personal practice and when working with clients. One such tool is intentional movement. This past week, I’ve been using this technique daily to help process and release the emotional and physical baggage from my recent journey.

The Rhythm of Healing: Discovering Intentional Movement

Engaging in intentional movement involves moving with intention and awareness. This can be explored through various forms such as yoga, tai chi, qigong, or even slow, mindful stretching. For me, a personal favorite is choreographing repeated movements to music that resonates with my Soul, using repetition as a moving mantra. This can then organically transition into free movement, allowing the music to guide the flow and expression of the body. Time and again, intentional movement has served as a pivotal moment for both me and my clients to overcome mental barriers, initiating or deepening the healing process.

Begin with small steps and discover a form of movement that resonates with you, one that you can engage with wholeheartedly and enjoy the freedom it brings.

Embracing the rhythm of healing through intentional movement can be a personal journey of transformation and liberation. It’s an experience that unfolds within the sacred space of our own bodies, offering a path to release and rejuvenation. But the power of movement extends beyond our personal practice—it’s a tool of immense value in the hands of professionals dedicated to guiding others toward healing.

For Professionals: Integrating Somatic Wisdom

As we, as therapists, coaches, and healing professionals, bear witness to the transformative effects of intentional movement in our lives, we are called to share this gift with those we serve. By weaving somatic practices into our professional methodologies, we invite our clients into a space where they can tune in to the narratives held within their bodies. This process not only enriches our practice but also facilitates a deeper healing journey for our clients, one that harmonizes body, mind, and spirit in a symphony of wellness.

For Individuals: Your Body, Your Journey to Healing

This symphony is not reserved for the therapy room alone. It’s a melody that each individual can compose. Your body is the instrument, and your inner experiences are the music waiting to be played. When you step into the world of somatic practices, you begin a profound dialogue with your deepest self. This conversation can lead to significant breakthroughs, whether you’re working through trauma, managing stress, or seeking a greater connection with your own being. Let the rhythm of your body’s movement be your guide, leading you to a place of healing and self-discovery.

From Insight to Action

As a Medical Intuitive, my partnership with individuals on their ‘Journey into the Soul’ allows for a deep exploration of the underlying causes of their physical or emotional imbalances. This immersive experience I’ve crafted taps into the profound wisdom of the soul, charting a course for authentic healing.

If you’re a professional who would like to delve into the depths of the Soulful Healer method and learn more about incorporating the ‘Journey into the Soul’ with your work, I invite you to reach out. A quick note from you is the first step toward enriching your practice.

And for those of you yearning to embark on your own ‘Journey into the Soul,’ I encourage you to discover more about this life-changing process and consider applying.