Transformation is a mind-body endeavor. Yet in the quest for enlightenment, meditation can overlook body-based practices, while modern yoga can omit the training of the mind and emotions. This talk focuses on the body’s role in transformation. We examine the significance of the body in mindfulness-based practices such as interoception and self-compassion. Drawing from emerging research in neuroscience, we explore key findings that guide us in creating an integrative practice. We study the reciprocity between the enteric nervous system or “belly brain,” stress, and mood. We discuss the sentient intelligence of our connective tissue matrix, or “fascial web,” and its link to the nervous system. We touch on the complex relationship between physical posture and emotional regulation. The wisdom practices of yoga and mindfulness, infused with insights from modern science and psychology, help us get to the heart of matter. Through these practices, we can create the “viscero-emotional resilience” and embodied awareness that serve as touchstones for change.
