INTEROCEPTION

Is subtle senses and awareness that provides information to the brain and back out to the body. Often we are more aware of more dense and larger parts of ourselves but interception allows us to experience sensations such as growling stomach, dry mouth, tense muscles or racing heart. Building better awareness to the subtle senses prompts us to consider decisions and choices; such as noticing hunger, thirst, temperature or pain. In other words it helps us answer “how do I feel?” not “what I think or want to feel”. 

Many scientific and clinical studies have found evidence of the beneficial effects of mindful movement and meditation to improve cognition, emotion and health. Many studies show the effects of brain connectivity in areas of emotional well-being and unhealthy makers such as inflammation.

Emerging research in neuroscience has focused on interception as purposefully paying attention to momentary fluctuations in sensations without judgment and or the need to quickly change, fix or react.

Interoception has a positive impact on the wellness of a person; building resilience and improving anxiety depression and chronic pain. It is also showing results with addictions and other ‘diseases of disembodiment’.

This may be due to the increase in functional connectivity and awareness between the negative thoughts of the brain and part of the brain responsible for processing.

Soma studies go back to World War 2 and therapists were interested in the brains development and interoceptive qualities. Gentle “Somatic Yoga” was created to address issues and create an approach to practice that cultivates the scientific understanding of interoception and embodiment. For more on this practice go to Yoga Tab or maybe you want to book an appointment for Yoga and explore this more.

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