Methods and Techniques for Embodiment and Focusing in Coaching
- Simone
- Jun 4, 2025
- 2 min read
Following our previous post "Embodiment and Focusing in Coaching: Why Feeling Yourself Matters", here is an overview of key methods and techniques used in embodiment and focusing work within coaching.
Embodiment Techniques in Coaching:
Body Scan: The client silently brings attention to different parts of the body one by one. The goal is to notice tensions or sensations without judging them.
Posture Work: The client experiments with different postures (e.g., upright vs. slouched) to feel how each affects their internal state. Useful for issues like self-worth or decision-making.
Movement Exploration: Spontaneous movements or conscious expression (e.g., through dance, gestures) help activate and integrate internal processes.
Embodied Inquiry: A combination of mindful awareness and targeted questions: "What do you feel in your body right now when you think about XY?" The aim is a holistic understanding of the situation.
Gendlin's Focusing Method:
Creating Space: The client settles in. "Just notice how you're sitting right now. Take your time."
Letting the Felt Sense Emerge: The client brings attention to the issue. "Sense what this topic brings up in your body. Maybe a pressure, tightness, something vague."
Example: "When I think about the job offer, there's a knot in my stomach."
Finding a Handle: The client identifies a word, image, or gesture that describes the feeling.
Example: "It feels like a gray fog pulling me back."
Checking Resonance: "Does that image match the feeling in your body? Does it shift when you describe it?"
Asking Questions: "What makes this fog feel so heavy? What does it need right now?"
Example: "It says: I'm afraid of failing again."
Receiving, Not Pushing: The coach remains present without analyzing. The experience is integrated.
Example: "I feel that the fear is allowed to be here, but it doesn't have to stop me."
Interaction in Coaching
Embodiment and focusing techniques can be flexibly combined. For instance, a body scan can serve as an entry into a focusing session, or movement exploration can help release a stuck felt sense. The key is to stay mindful and non-judgmental throughout the process.
