Body Love Through Attention and Intention
Attention and intention might sound like the same thing, but they are very different and individually needed in creating a new relationship with your body.
Your body is your sacred vessel that you have the honor of caring for. Only you can give it the time and attention it deserves.
Body Attention
Giving attention is to simply notice something. In this case, your body is what you can begin to notice. This means you can notice the sensations you feel in your body.
Through your five senses, you are constantly getting information for your brain to decode. There is always something to notice as you begin to tune into the sensations.
Your five senses are a great place to start to notice.
Pick one sense, like touch, and notice what you feel.
What does the fabric on your skin feel like?
If you are holding your phone, what does it feel like to hold it? How does your arm or hand feel as you hold it?
Using sensational words are helpful when bringing attention to your body. Words that describe a feeling or sensation give you a vocabulary for a new way to communicate your experience with your body. Below is a short list to get you started on more sensation words you can incorporate in your communication with yourself and others.
- Tender
- Sensitive
- Light
- Achy
- Throbbing
- Tense
- Buzzy
- Hot
- Empty
- Bubbly
- Heavy
- Energized
- Expansive
- Constricted
Notice how you can use these to describe your experiences, even your sexual ones. A huge aspect of conscious sexuality is knowing your body and being able to communicate your needs, feelings, and desires.
Another easy way to start practicing body attention is through breath. Your breath is the ultimate grounding tool. It is your anchor to life, so giving your breath attention, brings you solidly in your body. Your breath is an action of your physical body, one that never stops. You can count on your breath to be with you as long as you are in your body.
Quick Practice:
- Bring your attention to your breath at this moment.
- What does your inhale,in breath, feel like?
- Full? Deep? Easy? Hard?
- Now focus on your exhale, your out breath.
- What does that feel like?
- Relaxed? Forced?
Attention is giving notice to all the subtleties. It’s about focusing your mind onto and into your body allowing it to drop below your neck.
Intention
Intention is committing to carrying out an action or actions in the future. Intention uses your mind to plan. In this circumstance, you are planning to engage with your body in a specific way. So to have intention of attention to your body. This means committing to bring your attention and focus, as much as possible, to your body.
You can have multiple body intentions at the same time. For example, intending to move more, have more consciousness around your sexual experiences, or eat certain foods that make you feel good and staying away from ones that make you feel bad. These are all intentions that shift your awareness and the actions you choose to take with your body.
When your attention and intentions are focused on your body, you begin a new relationship with your sacred vessel. You actually get to choose what it is that you want to focus on for your highest good. Your expression of your physical body begins with the inner world. This includes your mind, emotions, and spirit.
As you continue to explore your relationship with your body, you can shift your attention to the wholeness of you. You can feel your physical body through your senses, focus your mental body on the action you are taking, then notice any emotions that come up. You can also check out The Body Love Workbook that takes you on a 30-day journey with your body through intentions and inner reflection questions.
Remember, you and your body are always worth your time and attention.
- Monique Gomez
Social: @moniquegomez
Artwork by: Tarn Ellis
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TarnEllisArt