In a fast-paced world, many of us live from the neck up — focused on thought,
planning, and doing — often unaware of the subtle cues arising within our own
bodies. Yet, our posture and the way we inhabit ourselves moment to moment
can offer profound insight into how we feel, move, and relate. Reconnecting with
postural somatic awareness — the felt sense of how we organize ourselves in
space — opens a powerful doorway into greater presence and agency.
Why Postural Awareness Matters
Postural awareness isn’t just about standing up straight. It’s about becoming
curious: How do my feet meet the ground? Where is my breath moving? Am I
holding tension unconsciously? These questions invite a pause — a gentle shift
from autopilot into embodied inquiry.
Scientific research increasingly supports what somatic practitioners have known
for decades: the body and brain are in constant dialogue. Fascia, the connective
tissue web that weaves through every structure in the body, plays a crucial role in
this conversation. Rich with sensory receptors, fascia is responsive to pressure,
movement, and attention. When we bring awareness to posture and breath,
we’re not just changing how we feel in the moment — we’re engaging a living
system that learns and adapts.
Fascia and Neuroplasticity: A Two-Way Street
As we become more attuned to our posture and movement, we stimulate
interoception — the internal sense of the body’s condition — and proprioception,
the awareness of spatial orientation. This in turn activates neuroplastic processes
in the brain. Simply put: new sensations create new neural pathways. By inviting
awareness into habitual patterns, we interrupt the old loops and make room for
alternatives.
One woman in her early 60s came for myofascial therapy due to persistent hip
and knee pain. During posture check-ins, she would subtly lean against the wall
— an unconscious habit. I chose not to comment at first. At her second session, I
gently brought her attention to it. She was surprised; she hadn’t realized she
needed external support to stand. That moment of realization marked a turning
point. In the weeks that followed, she began noticing similar patterns — leaning
on counters, holding tension when fatigued. As her awareness grew, so did her
sense of agency. As our work together advanced, she stood taller, moved more
freely, and reported feeling more at home in her body.
Prompting Self-Awareness: Simple Practices
Self-awareness begins with noticing. The next time you stand, take a moment to
ask:
The Ongoing Practice of Being Bodyful
Being Bodyful, as I call postural somatic awareness, isn’t a technique or a fixed
method. It’s an ongoing invitation to inhabit yourself with curiosity and care.
Whether you’re a movement professional, a manual therapist, or simply someone
seeking to feel more grounded, the journey begins with a single question and a
willingness to listen.
Stand. Pause. Feel.
You might be surprised by what you discover.
For further resources on somatic education, fascia research, and the role of
postural awareness in therapeutic settings, visit www.baronbodyworks.ca.
Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram: BetsyAnn Baron
References
Schleip, R., Findley, T. W., Chaitow, L., & Huijing, P. A. (2012). Fascia:
The Tensional Network of the Human Body. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Bordoni, B., & Simonelli, M. (2020). The awareness of the fascial
system. Cureus, 12(8), e9963. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.9963
Craig, A. D. (2002). How do you feel? Interoception: the sense of the
physiological condition of the body. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 3(8),
655–666. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn894
Kandel, E. R., Schwartz, J. H., Jessell, T. M., Siegelbaum, S. A., &
Hudspeth, A. J. (2013). Principles of Neural Science (5th ed.). McGraw-
Hill.
Price, C. J., & Hooven, C. (2018). Interoceptive awareness skills for
emotion regulation: Theory and approach of Mindful Awareness in Body-
Oriented Therapy (MABT). Frontiers in Psychology, 9,
798. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00798
In a fast-paced world, many of us live from the neck up — focused on thought,planning, and doing — often unaware of the subtle cues arising within our ownbodies. Yet, our posture and the way we inhabit ourselves moment to momentcan offer profound insight into how we feel, move, and
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Disclaimer: All content and material is for educational purposes only. Although certain aspects of these courses may be therapeutic, they do not constitute or replace therapy. All results are hypothetical, and the School/Teachers/Therapist/Speakers are not responsible for any claims or outcomes as a result of information shared. We do not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical conditions. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any health concerns.
