Activating Communication with the Body
Body-Mind Integration Part 1
Body-Mind integration has been frequently discussed and promoted as an innovative approach in Body-Mind Medicine.
In this article, I would like to share with you my thoughts about the essence of Body-Mind integration and why it is so critical in healing, so that you can confidently implement this approach for your health and wellness.
Body-Mind Medicine: What does it mean?
First, here are the common definitions:
Body-Mind Medicine “uses the power of thoughts and emotions to influence physical health.”1
Body-Mind Medicine “includes the use of a variety of different practices such as meditation, breathing techniques, tai chi, or yoga that take advantage of the interactions among the mind, body, and behavior with the intent to promote health.”2
According to these definitions, Mind-Body Medicine emphasizes the power of the mind over the body, the interaction and the use of integrative models of mindful practices such as meditation, breath work, tai chi or yoga.
But is this really all Body-Soul Medicine can do?
Let me dive into this...
Body-Mind Integration: The Origin
The body, the soul, and the spirit are integral parts of the whole, and one aspect does not control over the other. They are equally important allies for your life.
Many ancient healing systems, such as Taoism, extend their scope to encompass the body, the soul, and the spirit in order to achieve health, longevity, and wellness.
When the mind and the body are connected, energy moves and sparks like an electric current. It is like the uniting of all allies; they start working together to fix ongoing issues.
Taoism says, 1 + 1 + 1 is not 3. It is millions...
Intuitive Ability to Communicate
Individually, we are equipped with an innate ability to integrate the body and the mind, and for these aspects of our being to communicate with each other. This is called “intuitive ability”.
However, in the busy, mentally stimulating society where we live now, we tend to forget, shut down or disable this innate ability to listen and communicate with the body. We often don’t even have extra minutes in an ordinary day to observe our own body and pay attention to its needs.
The Body speaks to you ...
The body constantly attempts to communicate with you through various signs of symptoms. The body often shows some signals to alarm you if something is going on. We are just not used to listening to our body or tuned in to catch its messages.
Body-Mind integration starts from paying attention to the body and listening to its messages.
Observing the Body’s Signs and Signals
The body shows various physical signs of symptoms. These symptoms are its messages. Common examples are pain, such as headaches, skin issues, such as rashes and pimples, and digestive issues.
To resolve the discomfort, we often take medications. Next time, how about paying attention to the symptom BEFORE taking something to alleviate the symptom? For example, when we tune into a symptom, we might ask ourselves, “Why is this symptom aggravated? Was it it not getting better? What do I need to learn from it? “
Start Paying Mindful Attention to the Body!
I believe that the simple curiosity of paying mindful attention to the body and the body’s reaction with care is the start for integrating the body and the mind.
An ancient Qabalistic principle states, “If you wish to perceive the invisible, observe the visible.” Observing, communicating and caring for our body is the first step and of the utmost importance.
The body is the Temple of the Soul.
At first, it is not necessarily which mindful practice you chose, but rather it is your intention to listen to the body and your willingness to connect compassionately.
The body may surprise you by guiding you how to heal.
There are Methods to Enhance your Communication with the Body.
Traditional and alternative medicines are known for and champion utilizing more intuitive approaches to communicate with the body and the soul.
Energy Medicine, like Reiki, activates our inner sensitivity and receptivity through the hands. At Reiki Level 1 training workshop that I offer, my first task for beginners is to activate their hands for inner sensitivity and receptivity energetically.
You can learn how to enhance your ability to communicate intuitively if you are interested. You can develop your intuitive abilities by activating senses, such as listening, observing, touching, smelling and tasting. If you are interested in doing so, I recommend that you consider learning “silent” meditation. By quieting the mind, you can enhance your receptivity to intuitive communications.
Conclusion:
In this article, I described how we have three allies for our health and wellness: the body, the soul, and the spirit, and how to start integrating the body and the mind.
Intuitive communication highlights the real purpose of Body-Soul Medicine, regardless of whichever method you select.
Start today implementing this integration in your day-to-day life!
The Role of the Integrative Master Practitioner
As an integrative master practitioner, my work is to use various intuitive tools for communicating with a patient’s body and soul in order to find the root cause of an illness.
As a Japanese-style acupuncturist, I pay attention to the body and sense with touch through observation and palpation. I also use Energy Medicine, especially Reiki, which is another intuitive and energetic method for healing through touch or scan with hands.
I combine these methods and accelerate my communication - medical intuition - by using all senses to see/observe, listen, smell, and touch. (Taste is used for herbal medicine.)
If you are interested in healing guided by the intelligence of the body and learning how to become more mindful of your body’s messages, I am here to help. Please sign up for a free phone/online consultation to get started.
Blessings to all with love and compassion,
Mika Ichihara
Integrative Master Practitioner
Love & Compassion Integrative Health and Healing
Sign up for a free phone/online consultation with Mika.
Mika Ichihara, M.S., L.Ac., B.Phar., LLM, LLB, is the integrative master practitioner and founder of Love & Compassion Integrative Health. She has practiced integrative health and healing for over two decades. She has helped thousands of patients from all over the world with her unique integrative treatments and spiritual teaching of the East and the West.
Her services include Japanese acupuncture, herbal medicine, Energy Soul Therapy, spiritual healing/reading, meditation, Feng Shui and spiritual teaching and offered in Charlotte, NC, New York City and online.
Disclaimer: This article “Body-Mind Integration Part 1: Activating Communication with the Body” was originally created and published by Mika Ichihara under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Mika Ichihara, M.S., L.Ac., LL.M., B.Phar., Founder and Owner of Love & Compassion Integrative Health. It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution and author bio.