Untapped Potential: Unfolding the Power of Conscious Embodiment

Nov. 23

In the realm of coaching, mastery goes beyond just skills—it delves into the profound realms of metaskills, and one such metaskill that acts as a catalyst for growth is what we call ‘Conscious Embodiment.’

What is Conscious Embodiment?

At its core, conscious embodiment is the art of tapping into the body for wisdom, information, and a sense of grounding and transformation. This metaskill and the corresponding skills can be applied to when we’re in the role of coaching and to developing others (the coachee). It's about being consciously aware of our embodied state and utilizing this awareness as a leverage point for growth.

Why Engage with Embodiment?

The decision to incorporate our bodies in coaching practices stems from the realization that wisdom resides within us physically. Western society and work spaces often place emphasis on intellectual ability. We’re becoming increasingly aware that emotions and emotional intelligence are critical to team work and leadership. But our bodies carry a wealth of insights and conditioned tendencies that influence our thoughts, emotions, and actions. The mind-body connection is a powerful force that can shape our perspectives and responses.

This reality has been explored in a number of books and other sources over the last decade, and often focuses on the impact of difficult and traumatic experiences on the body. The opposite is also true, the body contains keys and leverage in bringing about regeneration, resilience, new pathways and change.

Research in neuroscience and coaching has highlighted the immense impact of embodied self-awareness on various facets of life. One of the authors and researchers that we follow closely is Amanda Blake (author of Your Body is Your Brain). It is through her work that we are now aware of the growing evidence (both in research and anecdotal experiences) that increased embodied awareness correlates with improved intrapersonal skills like self-awareness, resilience and adaptability, as well as enhanced interpersonal abilities such as empathy and conflict resolution.

Types of Embodied Awareness

When we think of tapping into senses, we often think of the 5 senses. It’s important to remember that individuals may have varied access to the intensity of these, and people may not have access to one or more. These are helpful to connect in order to ground ourselves and others, and we can utilize our imagination and senses together to support people in deepening their awareness and integrating learning. Our senses go beyond this as well and, we can tap into our body’s place or position in space, becoming more aware of position, posture, gestures and connection to our environment. A powerful leverage point is also internal sensation (temperature, tension, movement, what we can sense or feel inside of our own body).

A colleague recently wrote a blog on utilizing multiple channels to engage in reflective practice as a leader. Which connects to some of these points and offers different words for some of these same concepts: https://www.novalda.com/change-leaders-guide-to-reflective-practice/

Trauma Informed and Sensitive Approach:

It feels critical and most responsible to name that conscious embodiment, while a tremendous leverage point for change, can also be a trigger or activating, particularly for those with a trauma background. It is important to be trauma informed, which includes an awareness of the pervasive nature of trauma and avoiding re-traumatization.

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) has a great resource around responding to trauma within the scope of our role as coaches. It’s critical to recognize our limits as people developers, to cross-refer as needed and to avoid taking on trauma work within your role as a coach. With that being said, many coaches might find themselves both trained and competent in addressing trauma, in which case this becomes a conscious and clear role change (from that of coach to that of trauma worker). That role change should be clearly articulated to the coachee and maintain appropriate boundaries. When in doubt, speak with your supervisor, professional body, mentors, etc.

As part of our practice we invite coachee’s to go as far as they feel safe and we check-in regularly. We include discussion around this in our ongoing design. We also ensure that coachee’s know that there is a variety of experiences when it comes to conscious embodiment.

How Might We Leverage the Body in Personal & Professional Development:

Embarking on this journey involves embracing various practices to heighten bodily awareness. These are often context and coachee specific. We typically start by including a discussion around embodiment and how we would like to leverage mind, emotions and body for development within our designed alliance with a coachee. At this point, and ongoing, we can design ways that meet the coachee where they are at.

Perhaps most critical to leveraging embodiment with coachees is to practice conscious embodiment for ourselves as coaches. Leverage our own internal senses, develop awareness of our embodied and default responses, creating new embodied habits and approaches, tap into more information about ourselves and our collective environment. The path toward conscious embodiment is diverse.

Some of the skills of conscious embodiment:

Mirroring: Reflect the coachee, show acceptance, empathy, and utilize the information based on what you experience within the coaching conversation.
Movement & Shape: Use the body (posture, position in space, motion, activity, and gestures) and related sensations as information. Explore different movements or shapes to support the coachee in gaining additional insight.
Reveal the Invisible: Connect to sensation, the environment (e.g. surroundings), and wider context. Use your intuition as a tool.
Dial Up/Down: Amplify and turn down sensation, emotions, embodiment.

The Personal Journey

While understanding the theory and evidence is crucial, the essence lies in personal experience. Engaging in activities that foster embodied self-awareness—be it through movement, sensory exploration, or introspection—is great practice. Developing a vocabulary for sensations and emotions is a stepping stone toward unlocking internal potential. It’s been our experience that this is an important parallel for supporting others with conscious embodiment.

Reflection & Action

For those intrigued by this transformative approach, consider taking the first step towards conscious embodiment:

Experience: Engage in activities that promote bodily awareness. Pay attention to and know your own limits. Balance challenging yourself with remaining safe and regulated.
Education: Explore resources that delve into some of the information behind conscious embodiment, and its impact on coaching and personal development.
Practice: Incorporate elements of embodied awareness into your daily life. Notice sensations, movements, and emotions consciously. Begin to leverage this in your role of developing others and/or working with teams.
Reflection:
1. How do you currently engage with your body in daily life? Are there opportunities to deepen this connection?
2. What impact might conscious embodiment have on personal and professional development?
3. Which aspects of conscious embodiment resonate with you the most, and why?

In unlocking the potential of conscious embodiment, individuals can enrich their coaching practices, foster personal growth, and establish profound connections within themselves and with others. Embark on this journey of self-discovery and transformation, where the body becomes a gateway to deeper understanding and empowerment.