Focused Walking: A Somatic Practice for Deeper Connection
From the Somatic Practices You Can Do Daily Series
It sometimes seems more likely that you’ll feel or run into someone in a state of dysregulation more frequently than you will encounter states of balance and calm. We frequently see this and feel the impacts of it in the form of heightened emotions that often seem out of proportion to the situation at hand. I also consider a suppression of emotions, feelings, or desires a form of dysregulation in the form of disassociation (experiencing a loss of connection between thoughts, memories, feelings, surroundings, behavior and identity. - Mayo Clinic)
Dysregulation is trending. Not only in the online buzz word world, but literally in our every day lives.
What is dysregulation?
Dysregulation, or emotional dysregulation, is an inability to control or regulate one's emotional responses, which can lead to significant mood swings, significant changes in mood, or emotional lability. It can involve many emotions, including sadness, anger, irritability, and frustration. (Very Well Mind)
Somatic practices can support with bringing us back into a state of regulation by:
Not only by shifting the nervous system, but also by redirecting our attention, feelings or sensations, and emotional connection into a different perspective or state of being.
They can help us move out of states of living in the past or future and bring us into the present moment to focus on what is right in front of us beyond what activated us a few moments before.
They can also help us to increase our capacity to cope with challenges in the future by increasing our tolerance to discomfort in a moment that there is lower stacks or no sign of distress or harm.
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Somatic Practices You Can Do Daily
Somatic practices saved my life. Truly. I’ve spent my entire life disassociated and disconnected from my body. And I’ve spent the second half of my life trying to understand what it is “supposed to feel like” to inhabit a body. To feel into my own lived experiences beyond the lens of numbing and avoiding pain.
Focused walking can be simple. It is an all levels practice that is accessible for most people who are able to walk a block or two. It doesn’t need to take up too much of your time and this activity focuses on movement and presence so the exertion level can remain low. Focused walking can be achieved almost anywhere and can be modified for the level of effort one would like to explore each time you choose to practice.
This is a great place to start if you:
• Have been less active or inactive for a period of time
• Are struggling with feeling heavy or like movement is too hard
• Are processing a lot of overwhelm, grief, sadness, or fear
• Are unable to commit to bigger, moderate/advanced, or more complex movements for any given reason
• Have mobility limitations but are able to walk around the block
• Are feeling disconnected from your body
• Are living in the past or future and feeling like you are having a hard time being present in the moment
• Are short on time but want to intentionally connect with your body and move with low effort and exertion
This series will introduce Somatic Practices you Can Do Daily and break them down to help you get started. Most of the content on Sensory Playspace is available at no cost. Resources and some of our posts will be shared and accessible as a paid subscriber to support the work on and offline.
SOMATIC PRACTICE // HOW TO
Focused Walking: A Somatic Practice for Deeper Connection
