In this month’s podcast episode I’m sitting down with Laura Khoudari, a leading trauma-informed wellness practitioner and the author of the book, Lifting Heavy Things.
I have, of course, heard words like “Mind + Body Connection”, disembodiment, and disconnection. But I gotta admit, it wasn’t until recently that I really understood what it meant or how it impacts us…and my mind has been sorta blown by what I’ve learned!
Is it hard for you to focus? Do you struggle with time management? Feel confused about your personality, preferences, or purpose? Feel clumsy or struggle with physical coordination? Have a hard time with natural hunger and fullness cues?
All of those (and so much more!) can be signs that you are experiencing this mind + body disconnection. It can be a result of trauma, and a way for our body to protect itself by tuning out the signals it’s sending our brain.
One important take away I had from this conversation, is that we can experience this disconnect without experiencing a traumatic event personally. Laura explained that many of us might be experiencing it simply from the traumatic events we are witnessing through our phones (on social media etc.). I don’t know about you, but that spoke to me!
Through her work, Laura explores how movement can help us heal from trauma and restore this vital connection between our body and brain. In this conversation we’ll discuss the role it plays in our health, how movement therapy differs from talk therapy, and provide a step-by-step plan for rebuilding that connection (see below for typed steps).
Press play on the episode above to hear my conversation with Laura Khoudari. You can also find it by searching for “The Plan Podcast” wherever you listen to podcasts.
Try It:
If you think you might be experiencing disconnection between your mind and body, you can work through the steps below to begin rebuilding that connection:
Identify a movement you do at least once a day for a couple minutes (going up and down stairs, brushing your teeth, folding clothes, etc.)
Instead of going through the motions or zoning out, practice being more present and aware while you are performing that movement. Go through the movement intentionally and pay attention to how your body feels.
What can you notice? Try to identify those things.
What body part is being used?
What muscles or bones are involved?
Do you notice any sensations? (temperature, moisture, discomfort, etc.)
That’s all you’ve got to do to begin restoring this connection. However, with time, any form of movement or exercise can help take this to the next level by helping you notice what your body feels like under a controlled amount of stress, and Laura’s book does a beautiful job of leading you through those next steps.
Connect with Laura:
Order a copy of Laura’s book, Lifting Heavy Things, via Amazon or Bookshop.org.
Subscribe to Laura’s Substack,
Connect with Laura on Instagram
Visit Laura’s Website
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