Visualization & Embodiment Practice for Communication
Written by: Shalyn Isaacs / Communication Coaching / January 10, 2022 / 8 minutes read
While working as a Leadership Coach and Mental Health Professional, something I have found useful that support people with developing their communication skills is a visualization practice. Perhaps you have already heard of visualization techniques. They are commonly used by athletes while preparing for an important game, or by people who want to manifest a specific outcome in their life.
Visualization supports us with learning to craft our lives with specific intentions and goals in mind and helps one develop the confidence to be able to achieve that outcome.
However, one downfall I have found with traditional visualization practices is that the outcome we are visualizing in our minds is oftentimes not embodied. Embodiment refers to our ability to feel within our bodies the specific messages, ideologies, and values we have learned and be able to practice them.
By adding an embodied component to a visualization practice, one will be able to embody their visualization that is based in future outcomes and feel as if it is a present moment reality.
This practice can support you will enhancing your communication by giving you a way to clearly visualize what you would like your communication with others to be like. Therefore, you will be able to engage in communication with others in relationships more intentionally. This can also support anxiety reduction, self-confidence, calm, and improved relationship outcomes. However, the embodiment component of this exercises that allows one to FEEL what the potential outcome could be like within their bodies – psychologically, emotionally and somatically – then one can experience the full benefits of visualization.
Find a quiet space where you are unlikely to be interrupted for some time.
You have full creative freedom – there are no rules with this practice.
Try not to focus on what is “realistic” or not when it comes to your visualization.
Try not to judge or censor yourself as you develop your visualization – write down or imagine whatever comes to your heart.
Write down your creative vision in as much sensory detail as possible. Close your eyes, slow down, and take some deep breaths. Imagine what it would feel like to experience your vision of effective communication. What do you see? What do you hear, touch, taste, or feel? What are you doing in your vision? Let your imagination run wild.
What are the emotions that arise when you imagine your creative vision of effective communication? Where do you feel these emotions in your body?
Are there any emotional “blocks” that you experience when imagining your creative vision coming to life? What are some of these feelings and where do you experience them in your body?
After you are finished writing – take as much time as you like to rest, close your eyes, and deeply explore your creative vision in your mind’s eye with all the sensory detail you wrote down. Practice this as often as you like.
Go into your next interaction holding this visualization within your mind, body and emotions.
How are my communication patterns embedded in a desire to meet inequitable social expectations?
What do I want to change?
What feels like empowering communication to me?
To work with Shalyn Isaacs as your psychotherapist (qualifying) at Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapy, schedule an initial consultation by clicking the link below or by calling (647) 795-5277.