Growing in Embodied Awareness

by Ann Moir-Bussy

If you are a senior, experienced manager, competent, professional, and efficient, you probably know the frustration of being used by everyone and not given much appreciation. You’re asked to finish tasks others had left incomplete or to take time from your own work to teach them how to do their jobs. You find it hard to understand or accept the feelings that keep rising—restlessness, uncertainty, tiredness, and the nagging thought that you are no longer in control of your work or don’t fit in.

I’ve seen this often with women I work with.  I noticed those shifts myself from 50 through each decade to now in my eighties. Initially I thought that if I worked harder, longer, fitted in with the expectations of the workplace, things would change for the better, but they didn’t.

The power of myths and stories

As in previous columns, I found inspiration in the rich mythologies of diverse and ancient cultures. This time I was really delighted when I found in the Diné people, from the Navajo, the concept of Hózohó, a rich belief and philosophy of living in health, and harmony and beauty. Traditionally Hózohó, encompassed both a way of living and a state of being.  It is said that these traditional teachings were given to the Diné by the holy female deity Yoołgaii Asdzáá (White Shell Woman), emphasising an inherent ability to be self-empowered. It reflected the process, the journey, the path to becoming whole. 

The path to Hózohó

Wholeness is not something achieved. Rather, it is the journey of our life. It is something we return to. It is connection to the earth and to a deep inner spiritual renewal that is the force for healing and growth.  The Diné elders often referred to the importance of living in right relationship. It means that our choices, our actions and words are in alignment with what is nourishing, healing and enabling growth. Our modern-day western culture often ignores this.

Do you resonate with the woman we spoke of in our introduction, who found that her familiar path was no longer clear as life changed around her?  Can you stop for a moment and notice what is happening within you? Maybe your body is feeling tense or heavy or your emotions are up and down. Or, do you think you can force your way through. Or you might even ignore the signals, because you’ve been taught to ‘manage’, ‘handle it’, ‘keep going’, or just ‘be strong’.

The Hózohó principle suggests that the path is trying to teach us another way. You are not on the wrong path – you just need to stop walking for a while, not give up, just listen.          

Being present

Simply pause and place your attention on your breath and what you are feeling. How often we overlook the small signals, the tightness we feel in the chest, the tiredness in our limbs, the restlessness within, the fear of the uncertainty, maybe grief, or yearning for something more. As you breathe do not to judge it – it is not good or bad – it is a message, a sign that something in you wants to be realigned, wants more balance.

Then simply ask, “What is this feeling asking for right now?”

Not “What should I be thinking?” or “How can I solve all this mess?” Rather, ’What is this asking in this moment?’.

Embodied Awareness

Embodied Awareness is the practice of going within and listening to your body and making adjustments that enable you to move forward reflectively. It is about integrating mind, body and spirit through somatic awareness and energy practices to regulate your nervous system and clearing energy blockages. We must become alive, present and at ease with our body and our feelings.

Maybe we can choose to take a slower pace or create more quiet within. Or you might seek support from an ‘elder’, someone who has made this journey.  Or you might create some new boundaries, say ‘no’ to what is being demanded. It’s not about analysing or controlling your body. It’s about building a respectful relationship with it. As you make these small adjustments you feel the difference. The path becomes more aligned.

Hózhó is a Cycle.

The Diné elders were very clear.  The Hózohó path is a cycle, a lived path, and you return to it again and again. The more you notice, the more you listen, so you move forward and with each return you trust your inner signals more.  So let us begin:

Notice signs (what your body and emotions are telling you)

Listen before you act (pause, reflect, consult guidance)

Make a right adjustment (a small step that restores balance)

Keep returning to harmony (not once—but repeatedly)

Remember, this is one small aspect of the rich Diné mythology. If we make the choice to grow in embodied awareness, we open ourselves to becoming aligned with the sacred nature of our collective mind-body-spirit.

A short free video is attached to enlarge a little on these thoughts.

Ann is a highly experienced counsellor and psychotherapist of over 30 years, a transformative life coach and empowerment leader. She is the creator of The Living Wholeness Framework™ enabling professional women in their journey of transformation and initiation to becoming an elder who leads from the soul.

Watch Ann’s amazing FREE video presentation on Growing in Embodied Awareness: Growing in Embodied Awareness.mp4

To access all of Ann’s amazing videos, teachings and to book a coaching or psychotherapy session, please visit: www.annmoirbussy.com.au