Inhibition, often considered an obstacle to our full personal expression, is a topic that many people face daily. It is common to feel inadequate or insufficiently uninhibited, which fuels a sense of frustration and self-judgment. However, it is possible to reverse this perception and adopt a different perspective that can transform our relationship with inhibition and shame.

The Relativity of Inhibition

Let’s start by considering that the perception of what it means to be uninhibited varies greatly from person to person and across cultures. For example, in some Mediterranean cultures, animated gestures during conversation are seen as normal and engaging, while in certain Asian cultures, such expressiveness might be considered excessive. This relativity invites us to reflect on the fact that there is no universal definition of inhibition. On the contrary, it is a matter of personal and cultural perspectives.

However, if shame becomes an element that significantly limits our peace of mind and daily life, it is worth questioning its origins. In such cases, understanding the root of shame can be crucial in addressing the internal blocks that prevent us from fully living. Various tools can support us in this journey: in addition to psychotherapy, body-focused work can serve as a valuable complement.

The Many Faces of Shame

Shame is a complex emotion, often linked to the fear of external judgment. It can stem from a perceived attack on our identity, an action we’ve taken, our social status, or the context in which we find ourselves. No one is immune to shame, and the more we try to suppress it or hide it behind a façade of confidence, the more it tends to manifest acutely.

Facing shame is not easy, as it requires deep work on oneself and one’s emotions. In particular, it can be useful to ask why certain people or situations trigger a stronger sense of shame in us than others.

The Role of the Body

In Overcoming Shame Beyond psychotherapeutic support, bodywork can significantly impact the process of overcoming shame. Shame activates the sympathetic nervous system, responsible for fight-or-flight reactions. If this state of activation persists, the parasympathetic system, which should bring us back to a state of calm and balance, struggles to function, leading to a disruption of our psychophysical state.

In cases of chronic shame, often rooted in childhood, negative effects on the development of relational and emotional skills can be observed. On a neurobiological level, chronic shame can affect the hippocampus, a part of the brain crucial for memory and emotional regulation. Prolonged exposure to stress and trauma can reduce the hippocampus’s volume and alter its functionality, affecting our ability to manage future relationships and triggering shame responses in situations similar to past traumatic ones.

Conscious Movement and Contact Improvisation as Tools for Reconnection

Conscious movement is a practice that can help rebalance the nervous system and embrace shame. Among the various available conscious movement practices, Contact Improvisation (CI) stands out as a powerful tool for personal transformation.

What is Contact Improvisation? Contact Improvisation (CI) is a form of contemporary dance based on improvisation and physical contact between participants. Originating in the 1970s, this practice emphasizes spontaneous movement, using body weight, balance, and touch as key elements. Dancers interact fluidly and creatively, exploring how physical contact can guide movements and create meaningful connections.

Work in pairs within conscious movement represents a deep and transformative experience, based on mutual respect. It is essential to distinguish this practice from commercial events that may misunderstand or trivialize its true purpose.

It’s important not to be misled by courses or workshops that promote “contact dance” or “tantra” sessions as mere opportunities to meet sexual partners. While there may be an activation of energies related to sexuality, body awareness practices go far beyond that, offering a path to personal growth and deep reconnection.

If performed with awareness, the practice becomes a form of moving meditation. It helps maintain presence and body awareness, allowing for a deep attunement to the sensory experience.

How Conscious Movement and CI Help Address Shame

Shame is associated with hyperactivation of the amygdala, which sends signals to the sympathetic nervous system, responsible for the fight-or-flight responses. Additionally, it involves brain areas such as the anterior insula, anterior cingulate cortex, and medial prefrontal cortex, all implicated in self-awareness, emotional regulation, and social cognition. Increased activity in these regions, along with decreased activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, makes cognitive control difficult.

In Contact Improvisation, physical contact is a central element, and the skin plays a fundamental role in motor development. This intimate contact fosters support and cooperation, teaching us to feel centered and grounded in the body. The movement helps develop proprioception, which is the awareness of body parts that normally escape attention.

Benefits of Conscious Movement: Oxytocin, Neuroplasticity, and Emotional Regulation

Oxytocin Activation: Physical contact stimulates the production of oxytocin, a neurotransmitter crucial for strengthening social bonds and its calming effect. Oxytocin directly impacts the amygdala, reducing its activity and thereby decreasing stress reactivity, leading to improved emotional regulation.

Emotional Regulation: Conscious movement and somatic work in pairs promote increased activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a crucial area for self-reflection and emotional regulation. This enhancement helps to face and manage complex emotions like shame, fostering greater self-awareness.

Stimulation of Neuroplasticity: Regular and mindful physical movement is known to stimulate neuroplasticity, the process by which the brain adapts and transforms in response to experiences. Scientific studies show that physical exercise improves the functions of the motor cortex and strengthens connections between brain areas involved in emotional regulation, contributing to greater emotional resilience.

Body Awareness and Interoception: Body awareness is closely linked to interoception, which is the perception of the body’s internal states. Dance, as a form of conscious movement, strongly activates these brain regions, improving both body awareness and emotional processing, integrating emotional information more effectively.

Cortisol Regulation: The practice of conscious movement and physical contact has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, the stress hormone. Positive interpersonal contact favorably affects the endocrine system, improving the body’s stress response and contributing to overall well-being.

Default Mode Network (DMN) Regulation: Conscious movement practices can help reduce activity in the Default Mode Network, a brain network associated with self-referential thinking and often overactive in people experiencing shame. This reduction can potentially alleviate feelings of shame and negative self-focus.

Gradual Introduction and Social Skills Development

For those new to conscious movement practices, it’s important to start gradually. Begin with simple individual exercises focusing on breath and body awareness before progressing to partner work or Contact Improvisation. This gradual approach allows for a comfortable exploration of one’s boundaries and helps build confidence.

Moreover, these practices can significantly improve social skills and empathy. The non-verbal communication inherent in conscious movement fosters a deeper understanding of others’ emotional states and intentions, skills that are often impaired in individuals struggling with chronic shame.

Conclusion

Addressing inhibition and shame requires an integrated approach that involves different aspects of the human experience: mental, physical, and emotional. Conscious movement practices, such as dance and Contact Improvisation, offer an effective approach to tackling these challenges. These types of movement are comparable to meditation, as both practices promote a non-judgmental state of awareness.

Through conscious movement and pair work, it is possible to cultivate a mental state that allows one to observe their feelings and thoughts from a more detached perspective. In this way, limiting experiences can transform into opportunities for growth and reconnection with one’s emotions.

When beginning these practices, especially for those dealing with deep-seated shame or trauma, it’s crucial to find a qualified instructor or guide. A skilled facilitator can provide a safe environment and appropriate guidance, ensuring that the practice is both beneficial and respectful of individual boundaries.

If you want to explore the transformative power of bodywork, contact me today to begin your journey towards greater self-awareness and emotional freedom.