Embodied Affirmations: How to 'Feel' What You Preach
*Affirmations are positive, intentional statements designed to reprogram the subconscious mind, helping shift beliefs to align with desired outcomes. Their popularity surged after The Secret highlighted the Law of Attraction, promoting the idea that thoughts and words can manifest reality.
Your body and mind are deeply interconnected. The more we advance in neuroscience and somatic understanding, the clearer it becomes that what you feel in your body shapes your thoughts—and vice versa.
When you pair affirmations with somatic practices, you’re essentially rewiring your nervous system to align with those positive beliefs. For example, studies suggest that integrating mindfulness and affirmations can stimulate neural pathways associated with self-reinforcement and emotional regulation.¹ But studies aside, the real proof comes when you put this into practice.
So how do you actually embody affirmations?
How to Embody Your Affirmations
Start with Breath:
Choose an affirmation (e.g., “I am strong”).
Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take slow, deep breaths.
As you inhale, silently repeat your affirmation. As you exhale, imagine releasing any tension or doubt.
Notice how your body responds—do you feel warmth, lightness, or a sense of expansion?
Use Movement:
Pair your affirmation with a physical gesture.
For example, if your affirmation is “I am confident,” stand tall with your feet firmly planted, shoulders back, and chest open.
Repeat the affirmation as you hold the posture, allowing your body to feel the confidence.
Engage Your Senses:
Close your eyes and imagine your affirmation as a sensation.
If it’s “I am safe,” what does safety feel like in your body? Warmth? A gentle pressure?
Let the sensation anchor the affirmation, making it more than just words.
Slow Down:
Take your time with each affirmation.
Instead of rushing through a list, focus on one phrase at a time and let it sink in.
The slower you go, the deeper it lands.
Why Embodying Affirmations Works
When you embody affirmations, you’re not just convincing your mind—you’re creating an experience for your entire system. This integrated approach makes affirmations feel more authentic and believable, paving the way for lasting change. Dr Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory highlights how engaging the parasympathetic nervous system through somatic practices creates a sense of safety and alignment, amplifying the effects of affirmations.²
I remember a time when I struggled with affirmations. I could say the words all day, but my mind would dismiss or argue with them. They felt hollow somehow. It wasn’t until I paired affirmations with self-pleasure, slow breathing, and a grounded stance that something shifted. I felt the words instead of just hearing them. Over time, this practice became a ritual—a way to align my mind and body in moments of doubt and create desired future feelings in the present. My affirmation practice evolved into a powerful tool for mindfulness, manifestation, and shaping my reality.
Try This Today
What’s one affirmation you’ve been trying to believe? Try embodying it today. Breathe it, feel it, move with it. Let it become more than words—let it become a part of you.
To get started with embodiment practices, contact Nikkiema.
References:
¹ Tang, Y., et al. (2015). “Neuroplasticity and mindfulness.” Nature Reviews Neuroscience. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37648224/
² The Polyvagal Theory by Dr Stephen Porges. https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/
