Body Mapping

I have always believed that we are so much more than our physical bodies. We are a combination of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies. We do not live in one ‘body’ exclusive of the other aspects of our being. Every emotion will have a physical impact, and every physical sensation will have an emotional component. What happens in one body, affects them all.

Body Mapping is a technique that combines the physical sensations in the body with how different emotions activate or decrease activity in various parts of the body. 

This information is given as a contemplative experience and not a definitive, medical assessment. 

Your body loves you and is constantly trying to return to balance – to homeostasis – to regulate and keep you on an even path of moving forward into your best life. Our bodies are amazing – they help keep us going and endure many things we aren’t necessarily even aware we do. Our body also listens to everything we say. Be kind, be loving and be patient in the care and healing of your body. 

There are many systems, hundreds or more, that map out the physical body with suggestions for an emotional connection. Through these systems, we are gifted an opportunity to explore and excavate emotions and energy that may be trapped in our bodies awaiting our awareness and willingness to heal at that level.

Through my modalities and training, I have used many and combined them to what feels right for me. The following is a compilation of those and an invitation to sit with the information, see if it resonates for you, and dive into your body-emotional connection for your highest good and greatest joy!

Please consider using these ideas as a meditation to sit in awareness and mindfulness with your body and your emotions. See what comes up for you. Listen with your heart. Be present. Don’t judge yourself. Stay open to the possibility of learning more about yourself, your patterns, your triggers and how you can heal deeply. 

Body Parts & Emotions:

Left & Right Sides of our Body: The Left side of our body represents the Divine Feminine. It is the more feminine qualities such as receptivity, love, compassion, empathy, understanding, creativity, sensuality, caregiving, etc. It represents how we ‘receive life’.  The Right side of our body represents the Divine Masculine. It is more of the masculine qualities such as dedication, determination, strength, will power, drive, protection, etc. It is more how we give back in life. 

(Note: this doesn’t mean men are not receptive, kind, loving, compassionate nor does it mean that women are not driven, dedicated and strong. It’s the ‘divine qualities’ – not the gender). 

We all have ‘feminine and masculine’ qualities within us. We are meant to be a balance of both. Sometimes life needs us to be more vulnerable and receptive, other times it requires us to be outward focused on getting things done. 

Hips – they are the emotional melting pot in the body. The hips hold emotional issues and trauma. The hips represent how we flow with life, the fluidity that we bring to our circumstances, etc. They stand for our ability to bring passion and creativity into the world. So, if you are having issues with your hips – is it the right or left side? See if anything in your life isn’t flowing, isn’t fluid. Are you holding onto trauma that is unresolved and therefore, holding you back from becoming the best version of yourself?

Shoulders – they represent the obligation energy in our lives, ‘you should do this, you should do that’. They represent how we get burdened with the ‘shoulds’. They represent the expectations thrust upon us by family, society, friends, and even ourselves. We tend to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. So, if you are having shoulder issues, is it the right or left side? See if anything or anyone in your life is putting their expectations upon you. Are the obligations unrealistic? Are you carrying stuff that doesn’t belong to you? Are you being overly responsible for others in your life or situations that you can’t control? What can you let go of and release into the Universe that you presently carry, or hold on to – especially if you have no ability to influence the outcome?

Feet – they represent our foundations in life. Our feet touch the earth, they ground us and connect us to nature, the Earth, etc. If you are having issues with your feet – is it left or right – or both? How do you carry your weight in your feet when you stand still – forward (leaning into life, expecting things), or back (avoiding moving into things, holding onto the past). If your weight is forward consistently, it can add to anxiety and if your weight is in your heels, it can add to a heaviness/density of feeling. You want your weight evenly distributed across your whole foot. Are you avoiding ‘stepping forward into your life in healthy, responsible ways? Are you living in the past, constantly reminded of the mistakes/errors that you’ve made? No judgement. Be lovingly aware and present with the potential information. 

Backs – they represent ‘support’ in life. How do you feel supported by life or the Universe? Do you feel supported by your friends and family, by your work, by yourself? How do you get support for what you need? If you are feeling back pain, perhaps explore the idea of support – where you feel a lack of support, and how you can navigate the change needed to shift the situation? Is it the left or right side – or both? Is it constant? Does it come and go? There are so many ways to investigate back pain, to question everything, without blaming yourself or others. 

These ideas are for your consideration on your healing journey. They stem from many modalities that I have had the privilege to study and work with. They are by no means, exhaustive (as stated, there are hundreds of systems). This blog just scratches the surface of this topic – giving you some food for thought. 

Dive in – explore – examine – investigate the connections between the physical and emotional bodies. You may be surprised and elated to find some ‘a-ha’ moments and open the door to further healing.

Let me know your thoughts, and if you resonate with some of these body mapping ideas. 

Much love & light