Research shows

Embodied Practice: a burgeoning field

Embodied Practice is a burgeoning field and here at Live Particle we are in the process of gathering research and synthesising knowledge about the positive health impacts of body-oriented practices for supporting physical/mental wellbeing and activating creativity. Over time this page will grow.

Sensory attunement and reciprocity, frequent, whole-bodied and mindful movement, vocal toning, self touch, non-judgemental attention, mindfulness meditation, Somatic Experiencing and nature exposure and engagement are among some of the areas of research that source the inter-disciplinary, multi-modal work of Embodied Practice. The need for research in the field of embodied practice is, as Guy Claxton argues, because “much of our somatic intelligence operates unconsciously, without conscious supervision or awareness” (2015, p.7).

Here at Live Particle, our work is grounded in embodiment, somatics, improvisation, education & creative practice. Our approach draws upon a range of fields including experiential anatomy, somatic & creative arts therapies, neurophysiology, body-mind philosophy and psychotherapy. The practice utilises body-oriented, awareness-based strategies that may include but is not limited to Body-Mind Centering©, yoga, performance practices, Alexander Technique, mindfulness meditation, improvisation, martial arts, extended vocal technique, Focussing, Contact Improvisation and Social Presencing Theatre to name but a few.

a snapshot of Research insights that support embodied practice

Mind-body Integration & Mindfulness

”Most Australians recognise mental health as being equally important as physical health. With 53.1% taking additional steps to care for their mental wellbeing during COVID 19 and many recognising mindfuless as a helpful tool” (Smiling Mind, Whitepaper, 2020).

trauma & body awareness

Mindfulness meditation, non-judgemental attention to experiences in the present moment has been shown to facilitate affect regulation, however traumatised individuals have difficulty tolerating unstructured meditation and do much better with an instructor whose guidance helps them maintain their focus on bodily sensations while modulating arousal with breathing exercises.

Van de Kolk, B. (2014). Scientific Publications. Sourced from https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/scientific-publications

Moving

Movement matters. Not just movement - your movement. Not only to your physiology, but to those in your family and your community. Your movement matters not only to those you see on a daily basis and yearly basis, but to humans elsewhere, that you’ve never met. Your movement matters to the forests and bees in your local area . . . You have a role in the ecosystem, and it’s not a static position at the top of a food chain as you were taught. Your role is a dynamic one, critical to all the other living things on this planet. (Bowman, 2016, p.1)

Bowman, K. (2016). Movement matters:Essays on movement science, movement ecology, and the nature of movement. Washington, DC: Propriometrics Press.

Sounding

Vocal toning is an embodied practice that involves making sustained humming and/or voiced vocal sounds. It is a safe, effective and natural form of sound therapy that assists in releasing pent-up tension, stress and pain by using the natural vibrations of the voice to consciously direct sounds to different parts of yourself. Research has shown that active vocal toning can release psychological stress before surgery, lower the blood pressure and respiratory rate of cardio patients and reduce tension in those undergoing CAT scans or MRI.  It has also been effective in relieving insomnia and other sleep disorders.

Auster, S. (2019). Sound Bath: Meditate, heal and connect through listening.

Alama. (2019). Vocal toning for health, sourced from https://almacommunity.com/vocal-toning-for-health/

Snow, S., Bernardi, N. F., Moran, D., Lehamann, A.,(2018). Exploring the Experience and Effects of Vocal Toning. Journal of Music Therapy, 55(2), 2018, 221–250.

somatic experiencing & Sensing

Somatic Experiencing is a contemporary form of therapy, developed by Peter Levine over the past 45 years. Guided somatic experiencing that emphasises the use of interoceptive, kinaesthetic, and proprioceptive experiences, can lead to the resolution of symptoms resulting from chronic and traumatic stress (Levine, 1977, 1997, 2010).

Levine, P. A. (1977). Accumulated Stress, Reserve Capacity and Disease. Ann Arborm, MI: University of California, Berkeley.

Levine, P. A. (1997). Waking The Tiger: Healing Trauma: The Innate Capacity to Transform Overwhelming Experiences. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.

Levine, P. A. (2010). In an Unspoken Voice: How The Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.

Neurobiology

Stephen Porges the founder of The Polyvagal Theory states:

If we think in terms of symptomology, whether we are talking about psychiatric symptoms, behavioural problems, or even just physical health symptoms, most of the symptoms are actually in the periphery. The nervous system is not solely a brain independent of the body, but a brain-body nervous system. The future of interpersonal neurobiology is in understanding that our nervous system expands through our entire body and is functionally responding to the interactions with other human beings as well. I see the future of interpersonal neurobiology as leading to a greater understanding of how social interactions and social support, through a therapist, a family member, or a friend, can facilitate physical and mental health. (Porges, 2017, p.214)

Porges, S. (2017). The Pocket Guide to The Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company