Movement Is Medicine: How Movement Helped Me Reclaim Myself

I’ve realized I’ve been on a journey of reclamation for most of my life. 

I’ve been on the path of reclaiming myself, my strength, my power, my pleasure, my worthiness, and my voice.

One of the most important things that I have been reclaiming lately is my self-expression. As a highly sensitive person who feels deeply, expressing my thoughts and emotions has often felt unsafe and unwelcome, so I kept them to myself.

As you can imagine, this did not serve me well. Bottling up what I was feeling caused me to feel uncomfortable in my body, alone, and resentful of those who were able to express themselves with confidence and ease.

As I’ve been training to become a feminine embodiment coach, I have experienced so many shifts. I’ve learned to live more from the neck down: instead of staying stuck in my head, constantly thinking, overanalyzing, and preparing for the worst, I’ve started to let the wisdom of my body support me. I’ve become deeply connected to my body. It’s become my temple, my home, my sanctuary. I’ve become aware of its needs and desires, and delight in nurturing it.

One of my favorite ways to honor and listen to my body is through embodied movement. I love embodied movement because it allows me to feel safe expressing myself and my emotions. Instead of feeling performative, embodied movement is a sacred, devotional practice just for me. I don’t have to worry about how I look, because the focus of this practice is on how I feel. 

Embodied movement is a moving meditation that invites you to deeply connect with your body, notice what is present without judgment, and allow whatever arises to flow through you so it can be released and transformed. 

Many of us spend so much of our time ignoring, rejecting, and suppressing what we are experiencing within. We believe if we aren’t actively thinking about something, it will go away. Embodied movement teaches us that we no longer need to deny what we are feeling, that we are strong enough to feel it all.

I’ve found so much freedom, joy, and surrender in allowing my body to move me. It’s such an empowering, intuitive practice of experiencing, embracing, expressing, and releasing any thoughts, emotions, feelings, and energies that my body holds.

I move for myself, for my ancestors, and to reclaim myself: mind, body, and soul.

For black women and other women of color, I feel embodied movement is especially powerful due to our history. We have not had control over our bodies and what they have had to endure. We have been led to believe our bodies are not the beautiful, wise, powerful vessels that they are. We’ve been made to dim our light, stay small, and keep silent.

 Embodied movement supports us in reclaiming our sovereignty through our bodies. It allows us to freely express joy, frustration, heartache, and love. It allows us to remember the strength, courage, and wisdom within us. It allows us to be fully present in and reverent of our bodies. It allows us to sway, stomp, and shake. It allows us to explore what feels good, nourishing, and empowering in our bodies.

Now that you know the benefits of embodied movement, you may be wondering how to engage in the practice. Here are the steps I use in my daily movement practice:

1. Begin by finding a comfortable position. This may be standing up, seated, or lying down. Gently close your eyes or lower your gaze. Take a few moments to simply breathe. You may wish to place one or both hands over your heart, belly, or anywhere else that feels supportive.
2. As you keep your awareness on the inflow and outflow of your breath, notice if there are any big or small adjustments your body would have you take, any sounds or sighs.
3. Notice what is present in your body right now. This may be a sensation, thought, or emotion. Keeping your eyes closed or gaze lowered, notice which sensation is the loudest in your body and begin to move as that. There is no right or wrong in this exploration, just listen to your body and how it would have you move.
4. As you move, adjust, and allow what is present, you may find that your first thought, sensation, or emotion has changed in intensity. This is perfectly fine. Your body’s sensations are in constant flow. As they shift, turn your attention to whatever sensation is the loudest now. This practice is not about performing or looking a certain way. It is a beautiful invitation to become curious about how your body wishes to express anything that is present. Continue to stay curious, noticing whatever is here, moving as that.
5. Bring your practice to a close by gently bringing your body into stillness and taking a moment of gratitude for yourself, for your practice, and for your powerful, wise body. You may wish to speak the following body blessing over yourself:

Dear beautiful body
My temple, my home
May I learn to love you better
May I honor you  more each day
May I listen to you deeply
And trust your wisdom and guidance

Are you ready to deepen your connection with your body and intuition? Imagine moving through life with the clarity, confidence, and soul alignment that comes from fully embracing your inner wisdom. Through Intuitive Rising: Liberating the Guided Goddess Within, my transformative 1:1 coaching program, I guide women of color on a sacred journey of reconnection—to their bodies, their ancestors, and their divine essence.

Together, we’ll use embodied movement, reflective journaling, and soulful practices to help you release old patterns, honor your truth, and step fully into your power. You have within you everything you need to live a life that feels aligned, radiant, and deeply intuitive.

Join me in liberating the Guided Goddess within. Your journey starts here. Learn more and book your clarity call today.