Context:

The default mode of expression in meetings tends to be purely verbal. At times this can lead to a tendency towards engaging in the rational, analytical elements of group process at the expense of emotional content, or content which is not yet fully formed. When a group finds itself wrestling with a blockage in communication or decision making, or is struggling to access its creativity, embodiment can help.

In essence, embodiment involves expressing feeling and thought through body language. For example, a group might check in by having each member represent how they are feeling by holding a body posture for a few moments rather than by describing it. Embodiment serves to bring richer content into the group's awareness in a manner which can be felt more deeply.

Some of the benefits of Embodiment include:

Increased Empathy:

We often respond more directly and viscerally to body language than we do to words. Embodiment allows us at times to better empathise with what another is going than words can.

Catharsis:

Embodiment provides an opportunity for raw expression that bypasses the cognitive, emotional, and social filters we often apply when discussing things with a strong emotional content. Both the act of and the witnessing of embodiment can serve as a powerful catharsis, as typically supressed contents are shared.

Different Modes of Knowing:

Because embodiment is a nonrational process, it allows us to engage in different forms of knowing. This can let the group's wisdom be accessed in ways that rational dialogue might not support.

Increases Trust:

Embodiment helps members express content which would feel to risky to bring in verbally, or which is deep but hard to verbalize. The vulnerability associated with these sorts of content builds trust in those who receive it, and a positive reception of that content builds trust in the giver.

Variations:

Momentary / Narrative: An embodiment can involve a single brief expression, or can be developed into a longer narrative. Momentary embodiment can serve well for bringing in a range of different expressions, where narrative embodiment provides an opportunity to explore and expand on the expression's contents.

Individual / Collaborative: Embodiment can be done individually, or through some form of interaction or collaboration.

Cautions & Caveats

Particularly for those who have suffered some form of body trauma or abuse, embodiment can increase anxiety.

It's important to be aware of any cultural issues that may cause challenges in either the willingness to engage in embodiment, or in the interpretation of an embodied expression. This can be particularly true in collaborative embodiment.

Much of the power in embodiment comes from its ability to express different forms of content than is expessed through words. It can be useful to steer the embodiment process away from being essentially charades: an acting out of the same content that would be expressed in words.

It can also be important to honour the ambiguity of embodiment. As members of the group digest a given embodied expression, and pull linear, rational contents out of it, discussion or debriefing can help counter a tendency for folks to overassume they knew what another person's embodiment meant.