Positive affirmations have been used as a tool for change for a long time. The concept of changing what you think in order to change your life enjoyed a new surge of popularity with release of the book and DVD of The Secret . Unfortunately, it is often only the conscious mind that is involved in the affirmational process and the unconscious mind still tends to run the show with its old and often limiting beliefs that argue against change. Harvard Business School professor Gerald Zaltman is one of many who states that the unconscious mind controls 95% of our thought process, a premise that explains why simply using affirmations alone is not as successful as we would like it to be.
Combining affirmations with physical movement is one creative way to bridge the dual nature of our human mind. Candace Pert, neuroscientist and author of Molecules of Emotion, wrote that the body is the subconscious mind. And certainly the intimate relationship between the physical body and the unconscious mind is evidenced by the body's ability to digest food, heal wounds, and grow hair.... things that few of us consciously know how to do. I remember being completely awed by the inner intelligence of my body when it was able to reconstruct five shattered ribs, drawing fragmented pieces of bone back into their original structure from the far reaches of my chest wall. The body remembers how to walk so we don't have to think about it while we are doing it. It tells us when we are working too hard, when we are under too much stress, when we are happy. So including the body in the cognitive restructuring experience makes perfect sense.
Affirmations in Motion (AIM)connects the conscious and the unconscious by combining four or five specific affirmations with postural movements that complement the intention of each statement. The concept evolved after my first Reiki session at a time when I really needed to make some changes in my life, and it invites collaboration of conscious and unconscious minds towards a common goal. The words to my original AIM were what I wanted to manifest in my life and the exercise has served me well.
I open my heart.
I embrace the world.
I reach for the stars.
And I loving let go of what I no longer need.
It begins in a standing position with arms folded across the chest. With the words "I open my heart", the arms unfold and the body moves into 'starfish' position (think Leonardo Davinci's Vitruvian Man drawing). "I embrace the world", enfolds into a gathering hug. Diagonal crossovers that reach to the sky (like climbing a ladder) accompany the statement "I reach for the stars". And a slow forward bend with arms revolving in a tumble goes with "And I loving let go of what I no longer need". You are welcome to use my AIM, and I encourage you to write your own, to put your chosen affirmations and movements into a one or two minute harmonic convergence of mind and body, conscious and unconscious, to effect change on a deep level.
Affirmations in Motion takes about one or two minutes each day. If you do it for 30 days, a total of one hour or less, you will see measurable changes. Every one of my clients who stuck to a 30 day commitment reported significant progress. Probably the most powerful unconscious conversation for no change is that of forgetting, so it helps to have someone to be accountable to, especially if you have difficulty following through on agreements with yourself. If you need coaching in the creation process or help with staying with it, Conversations for Change is having a Summer of Love Offerings special on AIMs: choose your own fee.
Combining affirmations with physical movement is one creative way to bridge the dual nature of our human mind. Candace Pert, neuroscientist and author of Molecules of Emotion, wrote that the body is the subconscious mind. And certainly the intimate relationship between the physical body and the unconscious mind is evidenced by the body's ability to digest food, heal wounds, and grow hair.... things that few of us consciously know how to do. I remember being completely awed by the inner intelligence of my body when it was able to reconstruct five shattered ribs, drawing fragmented pieces of bone back into their original structure from the far reaches of my chest wall. The body remembers how to walk so we don't have to think about it while we are doing it. It tells us when we are working too hard, when we are under too much stress, when we are happy. So including the body in the cognitive restructuring experience makes perfect sense.
Affirmations in Motion (AIM)connects the conscious and the unconscious by combining four or five specific affirmations with postural movements that complement the intention of each statement. The concept evolved after my first Reiki session at a time when I really needed to make some changes in my life, and it invites collaboration of conscious and unconscious minds towards a common goal. The words to my original AIM were what I wanted to manifest in my life and the exercise has served me well.
I open my heart.
I embrace the world.
I reach for the stars.
And I loving let go of what I no longer need.
It begins in a standing position with arms folded across the chest. With the words "I open my heart", the arms unfold and the body moves into 'starfish' position (think Leonardo Davinci's Vitruvian Man drawing). "I embrace the world", enfolds into a gathering hug. Diagonal crossovers that reach to the sky (like climbing a ladder) accompany the statement "I reach for the stars". And a slow forward bend with arms revolving in a tumble goes with "And I loving let go of what I no longer need". You are welcome to use my AIM, and I encourage you to write your own, to put your chosen affirmations and movements into a one or two minute harmonic convergence of mind and body, conscious and unconscious, to effect change on a deep level.
Affirmations in Motion takes about one or two minutes each day. If you do it for 30 days, a total of one hour or less, you will see measurable changes. Every one of my clients who stuck to a 30 day commitment reported significant progress. Probably the most powerful unconscious conversation for no change is that of forgetting, so it helps to have someone to be accountable to, especially if you have difficulty following through on agreements with yourself. If you need coaching in the creation process or help with staying with it, Conversations for Change is having a Summer of Love Offerings special on AIMs: choose your own fee.
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