Healthy body awareness, healthy mind "Most people make life's important decisions by using their intellect. They think and become logical. Thus their path in life becomes path-o-logical. _As a physician, I know how important our feelings are. We store a lifetime of feelings in our bodies. If not felt and responded to, they lead to disease - once again, a state of pathology." Bernie Siegel, author of 'Love, Miracles and Medicine'. In the early 1960's Professor Eugene Gendlin at the University if Chicago began researching the question: "Why is psychotherapy helpful for some people, but not others?" Two groups of tapes were gathered for the study - successful versus unsuccessful psychotherapy. Researchers compared the tapes to find out what made the difference between success and failure. They thought they would isolate some particular attributes and behaviours of the therapists, such as empathy, brilliance, a caring attitude etc. that might be the distinguishing factor. The results were fascinating - not at all what they anticipated. Successful therapy did not depend on something the clients learned to do because of the therapy. It was dependant on something clients were already doing when they walked in the door! Successful therapy clients had a vague, sense of body awareness that they were tuning into during the session. For example they might say, "I can feel it here in my chest, a tightness," or "there's a jittery feeling in my belly, sort of dark.' By contrast, unsuccessful clients stayed 'in their heads" throughout the session and didn't sense what was happening in their bodies. "The results of listening to your body are insight, physical release, and positive life change. You understand yourself better, you feel better and you act in ways that are more likely to create the life you want," says Ann Weiser Cornell. Author of: 'The Power of Focusing' Quick tip Find a place where you won't be disturbed for at least a few minutes. Sit quietly, close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths, let yourself relax, and then open your mind to receive insights about what you might be missing in your life. Is it time in nature, being with friends, stimulating work, being creative? Whatever comes. Just listening, observing. Notice if you feel any particular bodily sensations associated with this. Make a note of what comes up for you. See if you can find a way to bring any of those neglected aspects into your life right now.

Rachel Flower

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