Fake it to make it

It is common knowledge that the mind has a huge impact on the body. Less mentioned is how the body affects the mind. That is the reason why the posture of the body is important in meditation practice. Even in sandplay therapy we first help the clients relax their bodies in order for them to be more in touch with their conscious and subconscious minds. Drugs like Vallium which is used to reduce anxieties in people is first and foremost a muscle relaxant.

It is now known that expansive poses like raised chins and open chests can help people  feel more powerful and in control and just sitting up straight increases self confidence. I know it works . When I was a primary school counsellor I helped a girl who skipped school because she was bullied by the boys in class. Of a quiet and timid nature it would be difficult for her to fight back with words. So I literally trained her to walk tall reminding her to raise her chin and push back her shoulders. I also trained her to stare straight into their eyes sternly. This is one case which I can confidently claim success.

Years ago I also attended a course in Holistic counselling which included a module on somatic therapy which focuses on connection with the body. It helps the clients by asking them to identify the part of the body which hurts when overwhelmed by a certain feeling. For example when a client has an anxiety issue, he or she is asked to take time to identify the part of the body that feels the anxiety most or where there is discomfort. Often he is asked to exaggerate the hurt before being guided to relax that part of the body. Sometimes visualisation is used to help relieve the pain. So for instance the client would be asked what image or sound in his imagination can soothe that part of the body. Visualisation of say a spiritual archetype or imagining the image/sound of nature touching the body can help alleviate the pain in the body and in turn helps the contracted mind to relax.

On one occasion when my heart was cringing with sadness I asked myself what would soothe it. In my imagination a large piece of leaf wrapped in herbs placed on my heart can heal it (idea from a show where the Egyptian nomads used on a burnt victim). I then visualise draping my heart with such. After awhile my heart beat and breathing slowed and my mind was quiet.  I fell asleep and awoke feeling much better.

They say if you fake it you make it. So "smile though you heart is aching"