The body is not just a vehicle, it is an intelligence.
“When we become one with our body, when we embrace it, the impetuous physical encounter with the world calms down to make way for the unique encounter of a life energy that is both harmonious and powerful.” – Bertrand Vergely
Dear all,
Why is it so difficult for many people to truly take care of themselves? Despite books, podcasts, and good intentions, stress persists, enthusiasm wanes, and talents struggle to fully express themselves.
Is it a lack of time? A lack of guidance? A lack of support? Perhaps.
But in my opinion, there is a deeper cause: we are not really listening to our bodies. We know we have a body, but often we do not fully inhabit it. We use it, we control it… while remaining convinced that what matters most is ‘in the head’.
My intention here is not to pit the mind against the body, nor to glorify one at the expense of the other. Rather, it is to open up a path: that of reconnecting with somatic intelligence. In a saturated, fragmented, high-performance world, this reconnection is no longer a luxury but an urgent necessity.
Understanding the mind-body connection: a lever for transformation
Trained in neuroscience, I have explored the interactions between our centres of intelligence: mind, heart and body. What I discovered gave meaning to feelings that had been buried for years.
Science has allowed me to put words to this wisdom of the body, which has long been relegated to the background. Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences reinforced this idea: we have overemphasised the intellectual at the expense of the sensory, the relational and the living.
Yet it is in the body that our emotions and intuitions are anchored.
I
see this return to the body as a valuable resource for anyone involved in leadership, teaching, coaching or creativity. In an unstable world, relying on your inner compass becomes an act of lucidity and radiance.
Reconciling with our cyclical nature
We are not machines. We are living beings, governed by rhythms, seasons and movements.
There are days of momentum and days of retreat. Mornings of clarity and evenings of fog.
By always wanting to perform, produce and prove ourselves, we end up betraying our most essential needs.
Listening to your body also means coming to terms with its cycles. It means recognising that taking a break is powerful. That slowing down precedes momentum. That you can only shine sustainably when you are firmly rooted.
An invitation to slow down
Before acting, responding, deciding… What if we took a moment? Close your eyes. Breathe. And ask yourself this simple question:
‘What is right for me, here and now?’
It’s not always comfortable. But it’s often right. And it’s a starting point for a more aligned, more embodied, more alive way of life.
3 practices for reconnecting with yourself through your body
You don’t need to be an expert or have hours to spare. Here are three simple and powerful ways to strengthen your connection to your body, which you can incorporate into your daily routine:
1. Breathing as an anchor
Practice: sit with your feet on the floor. Close your eyes. For one minute, focus solely on your breathing. Feel the air entering, descending, then rising. Observe. Feel. Without correcting. Just be there. Be alive. And that is enough.
2. Intuitive body scan
Practice: while sitting or lying down, pay attention to your body. From your feet to your head, feel each area. Are there any tensions? Emptiness? Heat? Welcome it. Let your body express itself in its own language.
3. The ‘body yes’ test
Practice: think about a decision that is pending. Visualise a ‘yes’ to this option. Then a ‘no’. What happens in your body? Do you feel expansion, or tension? Trust this sensory compass.
A resource to discover – It’s official, it’s yours!
I am very happy to share a new milestone in my journey: the release of my book.
“Et si le corps était la clé ?” from Éditions Point.
The result of several years of research, practice and coaching, this book is a compass for those who wish to return to the essentials: the living connection between body, heart and mind.
You will find:
Five major steps
More than 50 rituals inspired by yoga, mindfulness, dance and martial arts
Audio and video recordings
Practical exercises to: – relieve stress and confusion – regain energy – embody who you are – act in the world with accuracy and authenticity
This book is for sensitive leaders, coaching professionals, and anyone who believes in a vision of leadership that is alive, rooted in listening, consistency, and care. For all those who want to take care of themselves and shine.
I hope it will inspire you and make you want to go further.
Available today at your favourite bookshop or online here! Please don’t hesitate to contact us for the English version.
Take care of your body, it’s the key!
See you soon,
Alice