Mind Body Healing Exercises (With Videos!)

Whether we suffer from depression, anxiety, addiction, the after effects of traumatic experiences, and the consequences of addictions, we will also feel disconnected from our bodies.

When we are well, our bodies are our constant companions and helpers as we live our lives. The stress of suffering however distracts us; it causes us to feel estranged from our bodies. For some this disconnection may lead to neglecting the aches and pains that arise when we sit for too long, eat poorly, don’t get enough sleep, and deny ourselves the basic needs of health. We may self medicate away the most bothersome of these pains but we never really feel well.

For others, this disconnection can lead to the worsening of physical conditions such as asthma and irritable bowel syndrome. These conditions can usually be managed and moderated through life styles that are specifically designed to maximize wellness. Yet when we are under excessive stress we may neglect our health and these stress responses can become entrenched to the point that our symptoms get worse.

The following videos show techniques to heal the connection between body and mind. Whether you try these techniques once or routinely they will help you feel more comfortable inside yourself.

001 Grounding the body through lying on the floor

This is a straightforward grounding exercise. All that’s needed is some floor space. In this video I make use of a rolled towel to cushion my head. You can use a pillow or anything soft and plush. As you can see I lie down on a rug; if you don’t have a rug, then you can use comforter or blanket or even a coat. And if none of those are available then feel free to lie directly on the floor.

When I do this exercise, I like to set a timer to keep me focused on the task. I usually set the timer ten minutes. This gives me enough time to get settled, to regulate my breathing, to scan my body for aches and pains and other sensations and to mentally acknowledge them, and to relax into myself. Ten minutes is also just long enough to put off dealing with all the urgent thoughts, both real and imagined, that run through my head.