Looking at somatic psychology from a structural level, somatic psychology is uniquely positioned to offer an understanding of the way in which an individual adjusts as a ‘normal citizen’ and how this contributes to the reproduction of the cultural and socioeconomic system within which he or she becomes adjusted (Johnson, 2009). When we conform to prohibitions and inhibitions dictated by our culture, this requires a loss of attention to the voice of our embodied experience. This is where somatic psychology, through the practice of becoming aware of our embodied experience, may have revolutionary potential. The way in which these prohibitions and inhibitions show up throughout our embodiment appear as blockages to the free-flow of energy (Johnson,
…show more content…
In this section I will discuss the approach known as embodied inquiry. Specifically, I will elaborate on how embodied inquiry offers a way of interacting with research participants, collecting and analyzing data, and writing research findings that integrate the new episteme offered by somatic psychology.
Embodied inquiry is the path by which embodied understanding happens (Todres, 2007). In research methodology, embodied understanding involves embodied, aesthetic experience and application (Todres, 2007). What this means is that in order to understand human experience, whether it is one’s own or someone else’s, is to bring this experience to life and we are able to write it in a way that brings forth empathy and participation in the reader. We understand another’s experience when we relate ourselves to another and understand with our hearts. We write in such a way that we are able to communicate a bodily sense of ‘being-there’ (O’Neill, 2002). If we come to understand in a bodily participative way, there is a sense in which our bodies know more than we do in a specific way. Shapiro (1985) expressed, ‘I conceive of phenomena as fixed enough in their structures so that through my body I can retain them as a bodily sense and reactivate them or revivify them.’ (p.
In this section I will discuss the approach known as embodied inquiry. Specifically, I will elaborate on how embodied inquiry offers a way of interacting with research participants, collecting and analyzing data, and writing research findings that integrate the new episteme offered by somatic psychology.
Embodied inquiry is the path by which embodied understanding happens (Todres, 2007). In research methodology, embodied understanding involves embodied, aesthetic experience and application (Todres, 2007). What this means is that in order to understand human experience, whether it is one’s own or someone else’s, is to bring this experience to life and we are able to write it in a way that brings forth empathy and participation in the reader. We understand another’s experience when we relate ourselves to another and understand with our hearts. We write in such a way that we are able to communicate a bodily sense of ‘being-there’ (O’Neill, 2002). If we come to understand in a bodily participative way, there is a sense in which our bodies know more than we do in a specific way. Shapiro (1985) expressed, ‘I conceive of phenomena as fixed enough in their structures so that through my body I can retain them as a bodily sense and reactivate them or revivify them.’ (p.