For those of us who are Survivors it can be very hard to reconnect with our body. This could be because as the abuse may have affected us physically, we can feel very confused about how we feel about our bodies – possibly loosing contact with that part of ourselves altogether – or even experience strong dislike towards our bodies and physical selves. For abuse survivors, there can be a strong tendency to separate our bodies from minds, which can give a sense of isolating our body even from ourselves. We may need to start working towards embracing our body even in a small way. For example “Some Survivors learn to reconnect with “lost” body parts by having imaginary conversations with their anatomy. Strange though it may sound giving your…body parts a voice can help you discover how you feel about them” (Source: The Sexual Healing Journey Wendy Maltz p131). Start with some part of you that is non sexual first. For example, here is an extract from a journal of a Woman Survivor Megan who has started on her journey to reconnecting with her body and even appreciating it and looking at that part with kindness and compassion:
“I’ve been in yoga lately and I have started kind of talking to my body (so weird). Does it make sense that, every time I connect with my body, I weep? Like, I’m getting reacquainted with it? Last week, in yoga, I did a great job on the “tree pose”. After holding the balance, I looked down at my right thigh, gave it a love pat and said, “Good job, leg.” Right there in yoga (I’m sure it didn’t help that there was a soft rendition of that song from “Beaches” playing in the background). I think I am the only person who has been kind to this body that has been through so so much. I’m showing compassion for my body for the first time.” (Source: Megan : www.tolovehonorandvacuum.com/2019/10/how-trauma-survivors-reconnect-with-body-stop-dissociating)