Mindfulness and the Body - Michelle Maldonado interview by Risa Morimoto

Summary

In this episode of Modern Aging, host Risa Morimoto interviews Michelle Maldonado, an expert in emotional intelligence and mindful leadership. They explore the importance of mindfulness, body awareness, and emotional intelligence in living a present, compassionate life. Michelle shares insights on how emotions manifest in the body, the value of creating a 'body map,' and how recognizing emotional signals can help manage stress and anxiety. The conversation emphasizes embracing emotions, understanding their purpose, and reframing stressful situations to foster personal growth and well-being.

Takeaways

• 🧘‍♀️ Mindfulness and body awareness are key to living a more present and compassionate life.
• 🤔 Many people are unaware of how their body holds stress, such as tense shoulders, and it's important to develop awareness of these physical cues.
• 🧠 Emotions are felt physically in the body, and different emotions manifest in specific areas of the body, as shown by research on body maps.
• 🌍 Emotions and how we interpret them can be cross-cultural, but individuals may label the same physical experience as different emotions.
• 💓 Creating a personal body map can help identify where emotions like love, fear, and anger are felt, allowing for better emotional regulation.
• 🌸 Mindfulness practices can help calm the body and provide clarity when dealing with strong emotions, instead of suppressing or avoiding them.
• 🌪️ Acknowledging and accepting difficult emotions like anxiety or turbulence allows for healthier processing and the possibility to seek external help if needed.
• 🔄 Reframing how we interpret physiological responses, such as stress or nervousness, can shift the narrative and lead to a more positive outcome.
• 🎤 Nervousness before public speaking can be reframed as the body's way of summoning energy for something important.
• 🌟 The ultimate goal is to show up as the best version of ourselves, grounded and ready to face the complexities of the world, creating a transformative ripple effect.

Q & A

Who is the host of the video and what is the topic being discussed?

The host of the video is Risa Morimoto, and the topic being discussed is living a mindful, present, and compassionate life.

Who is the guest on the show, and what expertise does she bring?

The guest is Michelle Maldonado, a certified emotional intelligence and mindful leadership expert.

What was Michelle Maldonado's personal experience with body awareness?

Michelle shared a story about attending a retreat in 2013, where she realized she had been walking around with tense shoulders without noticing it, sparking her interest in body awareness and its impact on emotions and thoughts.

What study did Michelle mention regarding emotions and body sensations?

Michelle mentioned a study from Finland conducted in 2013, where participants were asked to indicate where they feel specific emotions in their bodies. This research led to the creation of body 'heat maps' showing where people commonly feel emotions.

What is the importance of understanding one's own body map, according to Michelle?

Understanding one's body map is important because it helps individuals identify where specific emotions manifest in their bodies. This knowledge allows for greater self-awareness and more effective emotional regulation.

How does Michelle suggest people can identify emotions in their body?

Michelle suggests sitting quietly and thinking of three different emotions (e.g., love, fear, anger). By focusing on these emotions, individuals can observe where sensations show up in their bodies and map these sensations to specific emotions.

What advice does Michelle give for dealing with anxiety in the body?

Michelle advises acknowledging the anxiety rather than denying it. She suggests practicing mindfulness to calm the body and seeking help if needed, such as talking to a friend or therapist.

How did Michelle reframe her feelings of nervousness before public speaking?

Michelle reframed her nervousness by telling herself that her body was summoning the energy needed for an important task and that she was about to engage in a meaningful conversation rather than a lecture.

What are two key reframing techniques Michelle used to manage her public speaking anxiety?

The two techniques Michelle used were: 1) reframing nervousness as the body preparing for something important, and 2) shifting the mindset from giving a lecture to having a conversation.

What message does Michelle hope people take away from this conversation?

Michelle hopes people will not be overwhelmed by fear and anxiety, but rather learn how to ground themselves to show up as the best version of themselves in difficult and complex situations.