I spent years living in my head, completely disconnected from my body. Back when I worked in the fashion industry, everything was about pushing forward, managing stress, and achieving external success. But inside, I was running on empty. I wasn’t in touch with how my body felt—I didn’t even realize how much tension I was holding onto. My body was storing everything I wasn’t processing emotionally, and I had no idea. I could feel a longing for more depth and authenticity in the way I was living life. Especially in connection with friends and family, I realized that the depth I was craving wasn’t available. It wasn’t available because I hadn’t created that depth in the relationship with myself yet. Back then, I didn’t know about this. All I knew was that something had to change.
The shift came when I started practicing breathwork and attending group sessions at first. Slowly, I found a different way to connect with myself—more gentle, and with more open ears to my inner world. I began to understand that my emotions weren’t just feelings floating around in my mind—they were stored in my body. The stress, the anxiety, the unresolved emotions—they were all there, tucked away in places I hadn’t even thought to look or feel into. Breathwork was like a key that unlocked these hidden parts of myself. I started noticing sensations I’d ignored for years, and as I kept breathing, I realized how much of my inner world was being held in my body. All of it!
What really struck me was how quickly things started to shift once I gave my body a voice. The more I tuned in, the more I felt—emotionally and physically. It wasn’t always comfortable, but it was freeing. Over and over again. Going through your “stuff” takes energy and effort during a breathwork session. At the same time, when the body finally has the permission to express, it will sometimes catapult these old stuck charges out. It’s big, but it’s beautiful. My body had been holding onto so much that my mind couldn’t make sense of, and by connecting with my breath and letting go, things started moving, coming to the surface, and asking to be expressed. And the more I listened and allowed my body to do its thing—let my mind step back into the observer role and express whatever was there—the deeper and more beautiful my body-mind relationship became.
This experience shapes how I work with others now. I see how disconnected we can be from our bodies, especially when we’re stuck in stress or old emotional patterns. Our nervous system, constantly on high alert, tries to keep us “safe,” but it often traps us in a cycle of disconnection. The breath helps us come back. It helps us feel again, in a way that is grounding and healing.
I guide my clients to reconnect with their bodies, to listen to what’s there, and to release the tension that builds up when we ignore our physical selves. This isn’t just about relaxation—it’s about rebuilding trust with your own body, learning to listen to it, and letting it lead the way toward healing.
If you’re curious about starting this process for yourself, here are a few simple steps that can help:
1. Breath Awareness: Spend a few minutes each day focusing on your breath, noticing how it feels in your body. Don’t try to change it—just observe.
2. Body Scanning: Mentally scan your body from head to toe, paying attention to any areas of tension or discomfort. Just notice them without judgment.
3. Movement: Engage in gentle, mindful movement like yoga or stretching. Let your body move in a way that feels natural, without forcing anything.
Connecting with your body isn’t always easy, but it’s one of the most powerful steps you can take toward healing and wholeness. Your body has so much to tell you, if you’re willing to listen.
JJ