The Forgotten Dialect:
Our Body Language

Part 14: Mindbody Treatments

Three Crucial Elements of a Treatment

Second, the treatment must “educate” the individual. This particular paper is the most condensed education I could produce that touches on the two most important concepts of mindbody medicine, in my opinion. Namely that our physical and mental health are intimately connected to, and a reflection of, our emotional state. And that we are responsible for our emotional state. Education like this keeps our attention pointed in the correct direction. It reminds us that our world supports win-win solutions to our problems when we adopt that attitude. This serves as the guidance for our emotional development in a world that largely operates from the win-lose perspective.

Third, the treatment must inspire the development of “willpower” to maintain here & now awareness. The only moment at which we can start noticing our emotions is the moment they surface. We need to be physically present within our bodies to become aware of our surfacing emotions. The here and now is the only time we can separate our win-lose stories from our emotions. Letting go of these stories requires strength, but the rewards are immeasurable. There are multiple tools that can help cultivate the willpower to be mindful of the present moment. Meditation, breathing exercises or yoga are common tools for this task. Putting those tools into practice represent the core of any effective mindbody treatment. If the education serves as the guidance of our emotional development, then our willpower creates the fuel which allows us to navigate a course towards a healthier perspective.