The Body's Natural Intelligence: More Than Just a Space Suit

Our bodies are far more than temporary biological space suits for our earthly journey – they're intricate systems of wisdom, connecting physical reality with spiritual essence. Every part of our being exists in an elaborate feedback loop: cells, molecules, hormones, digestion, energy centers, electrical impulses, and neurons all working in concert to create our human experience.

This biological symphony produces the entire spectrum of human feeling and emotion. From bliss to sadness, fear to ecstasy, focus to scattered thoughts – our bodies are living laboratories constantly producing the chemicals that color our experience. Yet the goal isn't to chase perpetual happiness, but rather to develop awareness of how our internal and external environments shape our life experience.

Movement plays a crucial role in this awareness. As the saying goes, "emotion is energy in motion." When energy becomes stagnant, so do our emotions, leading to festering thoughts and repetitive mental patterns. Without proper outlets, these vibrations can lock us into depressive states, potentially manifesting as physical ailments. Movement becomes our tool for liberation, a way to literally move through these stuck energies.

Learning to be comfortable – and even ecstatic – in our bodies is a skill. While the body's natural state is to heal itself and find balance when given the proper environment, true healing differs from mere curing. As Dr. Alberto Villoldo notes, "curing is the business of medicine. Healing is the business of the shaman." Healing addresses the root causes of disease, often trauma, and the toxic emotions that separate us from joy and health.

This understanding of movement as medicine isn't new. From the Tambuka people of northern Malawi to the San people's Great Dance in Southern Africa, humans have long used movement as a healing practice. Today, we see this wisdom continued in practices like Ecstatic Dance and Dance/Movement Therapy, helping people unpack, release, and reconnect with their bodies.

Over my twenty years of experience, from ballet classes to teaching group movement sessions, I've observed how our physical posture directly influences our mental state. Consider this: if we slouch our shoulders and turn down the corners of our mouths long enough, our brain receives signals of sadness, and we begin to feel sad. Our posture isn't just about looking confident – it's about creating internal states that support our wellbeing.

The contrast between mindful and mindless movement is stark. Picture someone moving through life with anger – notice their rapid breathing, tense shoulders, and rigid posture. Now imagine a meditating monk – upright posture, peaceful breathing, present awareness. Which do you think experiences better health outcomes? Better relationships? The answer is clear.

I once had a friend who exemplified mindless movement – always tense, rushing, angry at traffic lights, seeking validation, and intensely critical. His posture reflected his internal state: head jutting forward, shoulders hunched, perpetual strain in his expression. This physical tension manifested in chronically high cortisol levels and emotional outbursts. In contrast, another friend moves through life with mindful awareness – peaceful, efficient, and a joy to be around.

The revelation here is simple yet profound: we are responsible for our own state of being. How we exist and move through the world affects everything – our thoughts influence our feelings, which affect our body chemistry, which impacts our relationships and quality of life. The mind follows the breath and body in an endless dance of interconnection.

Through mindful movement practice, we can learn to navigate this dance with grace. We can use life's challenges as opportunities for growth rather than sources of suffering. When we understand and work with our body's natural intelligence, we open ourselves to deeper healing, greater joy, and more authentic expression of our human experience.