Practices for Embodied Living: Experiencing the Wisdom of Your Body―A Self Esteem Body Image Workbook

by Hillary L. McBride

In The Wisdom of Your Body , clinical psychologist and award-winning researcher Hillary McBride explored the ways many of us inherit a broken understanding of the body and offered a more compassionate, healthy, and holistic perspective on embodied life. In this follow-up book, McBride takes the principles of The Wisdom of Your Body and puts them into action in practical, tangible ways.

Practices for Embodied Living offers an experiential guide--centered on prompts, activities, and opportunities for reflection--to support readers who want to practice embodiment. This approachable, visually stimulating book helps individuals and groups resist cultural myths about ideal bodies, get in touch with the goodness of their bodies, and more fully inhabit themselves.

Topics include disembodiment, stress and trauma, sexuality, body image, pain and illness, oppression, and more. Each topic includes various exercises to help readers restore the mind-body connection.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Self Help, Mental Health, Counselling, Audiobook, How To

160 pages, Paperback

Published January 16, 2024

Reviews

[Richard Propes · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're familiar with Hillary L. McBride's "The Wisdom of Your Body," "Practices for Embodied Living: Experiencing the Wisdom of Your Body" allows you to take McBride's insights, knowledge, and experience and to apply it toward more embodied living.

As a disclaimer of sorts, I will acknowledge that I began my journey with "Practices for Embodied Living" only a few weeks after cancer resulted in the loss of my bladder and prostate along with resulting in placement of a urostomy. While the extensive procedures appear to have successfully removed the cancer, the accompanying results have significantly altered my physical being, significantly impacted my sexuality, and immersed me back into a healing journey for a body that was born with spina bifida and in which I've already been living as a wheelchair user, paraplegic, and double amputee.

Man, that's a lot.

Along with being a survivor of childhood and adulthood sexual violence, I've long had complex relationship with my body and, if I'm being honest, a great resistance to the idea of embodied living.

Yet, I was sitting down recently with one of my church's ministers during a home visit as I continue my recover when she rather insightfully asked "How's your relationship with your body?"

Impulsively, I blurted out "I hate it."

Over the next hour of the visit, I would return to my usual state of being (I don't hate my body, but I sure do have unresolved issues) and realize that my recent experiences had left me feeling like an "other," powerless and uncertain in my new physical being while also realizing, or at least believing, that I was destined to live a physical life more defined by violence than intimacy.

As someone who started an event called "The Tenderness Tour," this is profoundly unsettling.

Yet, after this minister left I began to realize that whatever my future holds I had work to do for myself. This brings me back to "Practices for Embodied Living." (I bet you thought I'd never get back to it).

In "The Wisdom of Your Body," Dr. McBride explored the ways that many of us inherit a broken understanding of the body and created a more compassionate approach to embodied life. "Practices for Embodied Living" allows us to take those principles learned and apply them in easy to understand but not always easy to do practical and tangible ways.

I hesitate to call this a workbook - it's certainly an experiential guide and it can be experienced alone, with a therapist, or with a group of safe individuals. Dr. McBride centers the work on prompts, activities, and opportunities for reflection that allow the practice of embodiment in a way that resists cultural myths and definitions about the "ideal" body. Instead, Dr. McBride gently nudges us toward getting in touch with the goodness of our bodies wherever our bodies are at and however they are expressed to the universe.

As someone who has long believed in Imago Dei - simplified essentially meaning that we are all made in the image of God, I found time and again throughout "Practices for Embodied Living" that Dr. McBride was guiding us toward realizing the sacredness of this body we live in however it changes over the course of our lives.

While there were, admittedly, times I longed for more disability friendly language and found that some of these experiences would require adapting based upon disability, I equally found them profound in challenging my own internalized ableism and current state of being.

Dr. McBride includes topics like disembodiment, stress/trauma, sexuality, body image, pain/illness, oppression, and others. With each topic, Dr. McBride includes various experiences to help us restore or establish a healthy mind-body connection and to build a better relationship, a loving and tender relationship, with our bodies.

Having taken my journey with "Practices for Embodied Living" via an electronic ARC (Advanced Review Copy), I'll also acknowledge that my hope is the final electronic version will include some design changes, however, this is undeniably a book I intend to obtain in print form as I believe that will enhance my journey with these practices.

While "Practices for Embodied Living" can very likely be a stand-alone experience, for a full appreciation I recommend beginning with "The Wisdom of Your Body" if at all possible.

[Camden Morgante · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one has taught me more about embodiment and listening to my body than Dr. Hillary McBride. In this companion to her excellent book, The Wisdom of Your Body, McBride provides practices and exercises for healing trauma and stress; body image; emotions; sexuality; and bridging the spirit and body divide. I have already recommended this book and its exercises to my clients and will continue to use them myself as I work to enhance my own embodiment practice.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hillary McBride’s book The Wisdom of Your Body was one of my favorite books both personally and professionally. This guide takes her wisdom and offers accessible exercises to practice embodiment.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Your body is a voice worth listening to.”

“We often distance ourselves from what is painful about being a body, only to find that we lose what makes us feel alive.”

“Embodiment helps to heal the mind-body divide, the self-other distance, and the person-land schism. Embodiment doesn’t have to be learned…it only has to be remembered.”

After learning from the absolute brilliance of Hillary McBride’s The Wisdom of Your Body, I am excited this companion is out in the world!

This serves as a practical guide to help us move through exercises to become more attuned to the wisdom of our bodies. What I love most about it is how clear, direct, & simple it is to read, while offering needed insights about how to come back home to ourselves. McBride concisely explains how we become disembodied, how to heal from stress and trauma, appearance and image, getting to know the emotional body, relating differently to pain, illness, and injury, the body and oppression, pleasure & enjoyment, and reconciling the spirit and body divide. It is visually simple and beautiful, with eye-catching graphics that illustrate the concepts she addresses, and has exercises to put into practice.

I especially appreciated the section about feelings. It seems like we ought to know the simple building blocks that make up our emotional selves, but I found it helpful to read about the 7 core emotions & the purpose of each, as well as how we use defenses and inhibitory emotions (shame, guilt, and anxiety) to avoid being with our feelings. This helped me process my emotional response to a difficult situation in real time! I also appreciated the section in which she discusses the connection between body and spirit, which has been (artificially) in western culture.

In my own work with therapists and my spiritual director, as well as in my work with spiritual direction clients, it has become glaringly obvious that many of us suffer from disembodiment, which comes at a price. In spiritual direction, I often discuss with clients the need to practice turning inward& being with our bodies in a compassionate way. The question that always comes up is, “How??” This book is the perfect guide to help us do just that, whether we are just beginning our journey of embodiment or are experienced travelers who need fresh ideas.

I love this book and Dr. McBride’s work with my whole heart! Thank you Brazos Press for my review copy of this lovely book!

[Kelsey Penner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still pinching myself that I had the opportunity to read an advance copy of this gem. Hillary McBride’s “Practices for Embodied Living” offers inquisitive roadmaps to remember the way back to one’s self through the wisdom of the body. In a world where academic, religious, and political leaders point to themselves as having answers, Hillary’s wisdom is reflected in the ways that she directs us to our own innate knowing, from which we have been taught to disconnect. She provides concrete practices to re-establish and repair our relationship with our body without judgment so that we may also gain access to the safety, compassion, curiosity, and connection that can be found there. This book is a gift that will keep on giving and I invite you to experience it for yourself.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A companion/workbook for Hillary McBride’s The Wisdom of Your Body, this book offers accessible, simple and meaningful practices to reconnect with your body and experience healing.
This is not the kind of book you’ll read once and put on the shelf, this is a book you take weeks to work through so you can fully experience your body through these practices.
This would be a great addition to the shelves of therapists, teachers, yoga instructors, spiritual group leaders and more.

[Aubrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the work of Dr Hillary McBride and jumped at the chance to receive an advanced copy of her newest work. Thank you to Baker Academic & Brazos Press! Embodiment is something I have been seeking to grow in and this book helped me move the needle in loving, compassionate way. My body has wisdom. My body is me. Culture teaches us that bodies have moral value that can be judged or not trusted. Hillary pushes against that norm and invites the reader to be curious through guided practices and thoughtful questions. I know this is a book I’ll return to for myself but also in my work with clients as a therapist.

[Mindy Christianson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was able to read a short preview of this book and was very intrigued! The concept of embodiment is somewhat new to me and I’m looking forward to understanding it more deeply.

[Lauren Zanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

definitely would recommend as a "quick" way to recenter yourself in your body. I thought most of the exercises were really helpful and would recommend to both friends and clients!

[Katie Betts · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Practices for Embodied Living," clinical psychologist Hillary McBride builds upon the principles explored in "The Wisdom of Your Body." This experiential guide, enriched with prompts and activities, empowers readers to embody a healthier perspective. Addressing topics like stress, trauma, body image, and more, the book provides practical exercises to restore the mind-body connection and encourages a compassionate understanding of one's own body.

This guide is no ordinary one; it's hands-on with activities and reflection questions woven into the reading experience. There's minimal explanation – just what's essential to aid your understanding of each prompt. While I haven't delved into "The Wisdom of Your Body" yet, it's high on my list now. Considering "Practices for Embodied Living" builds on it, reading them together seems beneficial. I went cover to cover, but the segments allow for a flexible, interchangeable approach.

Thank you @brazospress for the gifted copy of this book 🥰 I’m looking forward to utilizing these practices regularly. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Perfect for you if you like:
Exploring holistic activities on embodied life
Resisting ultra myths about ideal bodies
Integrating psychological principles into daily practices

Similar to:
The Body Revelation by Alisa Keeton
Breaking Free From Body Shame by Jess Connolly
Sacred Self-Care by Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes

[Conrade Yap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our experiences do not define us. Our real selves do. Our bodies are not simply what we have but they are who we are. We are more than mere subjective people. We are valued for who we are and not what we do. All that we encounter in this life, the highs and the lows, can all be experienced in the very bodies we have. Unfortunately, many people still have not learned how to appreciate their bodies. In doing so, they fall victim to lies and myths that throw negativity to their physique or biological selves. Lies such as the need to subdue our bodies because they are inherently evil; that some bodies are better than others, or fat bodies are unhealthy, etc. As our bodies get devalued, we become disembodied beings. Disembodiment separates our physical selves from the rest of our mental and emotional faculties. Embodiment brings all of them together. More importantly, we are called not to learn or relearn what our bodies are or represent. We simply need to remember that. These and many more underline the premise of this book, which is to bring back a healthy appreciation of the bodies we have so that we can live well. This also means we need to see personhood in a holistic manner: Emotionally, Mentally, Physically, Socially, and even Spiritually. Besides helping us address lies we tell ourselves, this book also looks at the violence on our bodies, such as stress and trauma; illnesses, injuries, and pain; oppressive forces; self-esteem; etc.

As a book on how to remember our whole selves, author Hillary McBride provides us many different practices that we can use. On stress, we learn about the implications of stress, both positive as well as negative parts. What is important is to learn to see the beauty of our created selves, and not let uninformed world opinion shape us into what we are not meant to be. This book thus counters such disembodied philosophies in the hope that we can stop them from tearing us further apart. McBride does this by:

- Guiding us toward healthy narratives about ourselves;
- Helping us to feel at home inside ourselves;
- Feeling positive about ourselves as we navigate the spectrum of emotions;
- Processing our pains constructively;
- Learning to deal with the five circles of sexuality (sensuality, sexual identity, intimacy, sexual health & reproduction; power & sexualization);
- Resisting guilt when embracing pleasure;
- Embodying prayers;
- ...

Gradually, she leads us toward seeing and experiencing our bodies holistically, reconciling both body and spirit together as one.

My Thoughts
This is a unique book about bringing back a semblance of self-respect and appreciation for who we are, what we have, and how we should treat ourselves. McBride addresses some of the underlying issues of flawed self-perceptions. This is made worse by societal expectations that often rub us the wrong way. The list of lies that the author highlights are not the only ones that damage our self-perceptions. With technology use on the rise, it is so easy to spread falsehood and misinformation about people. Just look at how Deep Fake technology is wreaking havoc on star personalities. All it takes is a little tweak or a sinister photoshop and the end result is a dramatic devaluation of a person's body and worth. Like it or not, technology through social media is a potent force for disembodiment. Tempted to look good to others in public, we become sensitized to nasty public comments. One thing is for sure. We can never be able to stop the torrent of public opinion. We need a healthy understanding of self-worth and personal value so that we do not sway or unwittingly accept unhealthy criticisms.

One of the questions I ask is this: In an already hyper-individualistic world we live in, do we still need a book to feel good about ourselves or our bodies? My answer would tilt toward a marginal yes. Why yes? That's because God has created us good. For a sinful world, God has sent Jesus to this world to redeem us from our sins. Our world has been badly corrupted with falsehood and deceptions. The way forward is to redeem what is good while rejecting what is evil. Plus, the world we live in today is seriously broken. Like the saying "hurt people tend to hurt other people," a broken person will tend to break another person. This book brings a good dose of healing for those who have been deceived by lies, hurt by false accusations, discouraged by ugly comments, or simply disillusioned by the dizzy world of changing expectations. The exercises mentioned justify the title of the book. Why "marginal?" That's because the individualism in society still looms large. Just as there is low self-esteem that plagues many people, there are also unhealthy levels of pride and self-deception. What is needed is Truth. The tilt toward a "yes" is because this book works like a reset button to help us see ourselves afresh.

Hillary L. McBride (PhD, University of British Columbia) is a registered psychologist, an award-winning researcher, and the host of the Other People's Problems podcast. She has a private practice in Victoria, British Columbia, and is a sought-after speaker and retreat leader who specializes in embodiment. McBride's work has been recognized by the American Psychological Association and the Canadian Psychological Association. She is the author of The Wisdom of Your Body and Mothers, Daughters, and Body Image, and coeditor of Embodiment and Eating Disorders. Learn more at www.hillarylmcbride.com.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Brazos Press via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

[Chris Peck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad I have the physical copy to reference for these varied practices.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This workbook connects with The Wisdom of Your Body by the same author. As Hillary McBride explains in the introduction, although she designed this as a practical supplement to her previous book, it also works as a standalone, especially for people who found her other book too academic and dense to process. She shares much of the same core information in simpler, more basic terms here, and this workbook covers all of the same themes. McBride wants to help people love and experience their bodies, instead of experiencing body shame or feeling disconnected from their physical selves, and she shares insights and teaching content throughout the book, explaining some of the issues that prevent people from engaging more fully with their bodies.

Each chapter involves multiple reflection questions and physical practices that people can explore. The practices are many and varied, with some things that sound more woo-woo, and others that are very straightforward and less weird. People who would anticipate balking at some of the activity ideas can still give this a chance, since there's a wide range of things to chose from that will be more suited to their personality and self-expression. Overall, there's a lot of helpful ideas here for how people can reconnect with their physical selves if they feel disengaged.

Although the information throughout this book is good, I don't like the illustration style. I find the giant, disproportionate bodies and tiny heads unnerving, and I feel like the illustrations miss the point. Sure, we need to connect with our bodies and not think that we're just minds walking around, but dramatically minimizing the head doesn't seem wise or healing to me. Also, I didn't care for the wild changes in font size in parts of the book. I found that distracting, but since I read a digital advance review copy, this might change before the book goes to print.

I also have some philosophical disagreements with the author, such as her insistence that there is never anything wrong with your body, just with a society that shames it or doesn't accommodate it. That's valid at some levels, but my body does have problems, and they're not all society's fault! I can love myself, love my body, and care for my body in the midst of my chronic pain and other health struggles while also accepting that my body has problems that other bodies don't.

For sure, it's a complicated issue, and I hold the good old FDA responsible for having approved all kinds of neurotoxins in food that made my life a torment for years until my family figured out what was wrong. Society has a role in my health problems, even when other people are unaffected. Still, I wish that the author made space for acknowledging individual frailties and physical problems, instead of putting the blame on society for any pain or issue you experience. This is also important for people who are experiencing pain due to reckless and dysfunctional choices they've made in the past. Inviting them to blame society does not bring emotional healing.

Also, even though one of the chapters addresses the spirit and body divide, the author wrote this in a very mainstream, secular way. It's like any random book I might pick up at the library, and that's not what I expected while reviewing a book from a Christian publisher. The author invites people to engage with whatever sense of divinity they experience outside of or within them, and although I'm sure she wants to help as many people as possible by making her work accessible to a pluralistic society, I found the lack of distinct Christian content disappointing.

Practices for Embodied Living shares teaching and insight from the author, and gives a range of different reflection prompt and activity ideas for people to explore at their comfort level. This book will appeal to people who are trying to reconnect with their physical selves after trauma or just the everyday disconnect of Western society, and the author covers a variety of different topics and issues that many people will find helpful. I enjoyed aspects of this, but some of the author's value judgments and preachy statements about society clashed with my different beliefs and perspectives. Also, Christian audiences need to know that this book does not provide a Christian viewpoint on embodiment, and is written in vague spiritual language for people of any belief or any practice.

I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Holly Buhler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practices for embodied living - book notes
* we are born with no other option than being a body - but then we find our bodies can be hurt so we separate our mind from our body
* Where does our selfness live?
* Our self lives in our body as much as our mind
* Body as subject - we are living in our bodies and our bodies hold so much information
* The body is where we feel alive
* “Being a body is dangerous” “we need to control our bodies” we do not exist only by thinking - when we avoid the negatives of our body we ignore the positives as well.
* Our body is alive and we should treat it that way
* Our body is a portal to connection
* If I were to care for my bodily self I would____
* Mental: notice our emotions in our body as you think about stories you have told yourself about your body
* Social: with which groups do I feel the best in my skin - who do I want to be like who do I not want to be like
* Physical: use your body in movement that come naturally to a child - give yourself permission to move your body how you like
* “My body is a sanctuary”
* “My body is mine my body is me” notice what it feels like to be you today
* “My body and my mind can be friends” what do your thoughts long to hear from your sensing body - what does your body long to hear from your thinking self?
* “My body is a resistance” how can I interfere with the scripts society has placed on my body. “If I remember my body is completely loved then___”
* The stress response staircase: if we don’t get the care we need can rest on the staircase without moving forward- our body knows how to get down the staircase the same way we got up
* We can tell we are trying to set a boundary indirectly when we reach irritation
* Where is energy being built or moved away from in your body in stress
* Breathing: create different breathing patterns to help transition between tasks, start/end the day, starting meals, etc
* Many have learned to see ourselves from the outside: in others perception of our body
* We forget that being a body includes everything inside ourselves
* Society teaches us that our body is something to be managed and simply an object
* What messaging did I receive as a child about my body? Where did my issues with certain parts of my body start?
* If my body were a house where would I live within that house?
* “My body is good without conditions”
* Instead of seeing my body as the problem - I can focus on society messaging as the problem
* We need to learn to let our body feel and work through emotions trusting it knows what to do without letting cultural stories get in the way
* We know an action is a defense if it is being used to avoid a core emotion instead of helping feel a core emotion
* Practice the voice of the inner nurturer - be with yourself in pain
* Our sexuality is ours and for us - and does not belong to someone else
* Five circles of sexuality (Dennis daily)
- Power / sexualization - based on political and social context
- Sensuality - using our senses for pleasure
- Sexual health/reproduction - body parts and their function
- Intimacy - closeness between who and what we love in any form
- Sexual identity - labels we use for who and what we desire
* Intimacy includes being fully known and fully loved
* When we realize the Spirit is within all matter - including ourselves we can live fully now instead of waiting to live fully later
* The Holy has always been present in the places we were told not to look
* Embodied prayer - expressing what is inside you honestly

[Marie Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Hillary L. McBride’s Practices for Embodied Living: Experiencing the Wisdom of Your Body, I wished I’d already read her previous book called The Wisdom of Your Body: Finding Healing, Wholeness, and Connection Through Embodied Living. It’s now in my ever growing cue of what to read.

While caring for and paying attention to our bodies is the obvious wise way to live, we don’t do it very well. We have a complicated relationship with our bodies.  How many times have you white-knuckled your way through a difficult circumstance disregarding the signs of exhaustion and depression? Have you ever pushed through chronic physical pain waiting for a good time to see a doctor? Suffered through mental distress failing to admit your need to talk to someone about it? Ignored your anxiety? Neglected rest? Undereaten? Overeaten? Felt lightheaded from dehydration?

We have a bad habit of forgetting how important our bodies are to our well-being. We live as if they don’t matter. McBride shows us how to break the habit and brings us back to living in our bodies. While Practices for Embodied Living is easy to read, it’s full of insight into how we become disembodied and how culture and politics shape the way we think about our bodies. She writes about our emotions, stress and trauma, pain and illness, our sensuality, and ends with a chapter titled Holy Flesh.

The author includes an abundance of practices and ideas to help us remember and reconnect with our bodies. She writes, “All of us are bodies and can practice remembering that in a way that draws us more deeply into the present and connects us with each other.” The practices range from a simple checking in, finding your pulse, and answering questions on your beliefs about pain, to the more challenging ones such as considering your body in the four seasons, and moving your body in specific ways as you think about a difficult situation that had you feeling frozen, angry, or scared. In the beginning of the book the author suggests various ways to approach the practices. She emphasizes the “work is most like a medicine when it meets your needs as an individual…” In other words, use the book and the suggested practices in a way that works best for you. Do all of them, some of them, or only read about them.

One of my favorite practices is found in a section called Boundary Skills. The practice is to try saying no with your whole body. The author suggests imagining something you find it easy to say no to then using a form or motion that captures the power of a no without needing words. I did this practice and found a powerful form for my no.

There are lots of beautiful ways to start paying more attention to our bodies and in Practices for Embodied Living the author takes us on a wonderful journey to get there. Along the way, we remember and get to know our bodies so that we live more fully, freely, and wholly.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley to review.

"Experiencing the Wisdom of Your Body" by Hillary McBride is a thought-provoking exploration of self-discovery and self-acceptance. The book provides a range of prompts and activities that encourage introspection and mindfulness, making it a valuable resource for those interested in deepening their self-awareness.

While I appreciated the prompts and activities, I found the book less engaging for someone seeking traditional "self-help." The content may not be as immediately actionable as some other self-help books, which could deter some readers looking for quick fixes.

One notable aspect that took away from the overall reading experience was the peculiar font choices that changed throughout the book. This inconsistency in typography can be distracting and disrupt the flow of reading, which is unfortunate for a book aiming to guide readers through introspective exercises.

On the other hand, "Experiencing the Wisdom of Your Body" would be particularly beneficial for therapists and counselors. The exercises and prompts are well-suited for use with clients, offering valuable tools to help individuals explore their emotions, traumas, and experiences. Therapists can integrate these exercises into their practice to facilitate meaningful self-discovery and healing in their clients.

In summary, while this book may not be the ideal choice for someone seeking conventional self-help, it shines as a resource for therapists and professionals in the field who wish to incorporate the exercises and prompts into their therapeutic work, helping clients tap into the wisdom of their bodies and emotions.

[Rom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hillary McBride has been one of my favorite psychologists and inspirations for a while, which is why I was even more excited to see her release another book. "Practices for Embodied Living" is meant to accompany her previous work "The Wisdom of Your Body" but can also be read seperately if one only seeks more practical approaches to embodiment. Nevertheless, I would really recommend to dive into both.

The pre-release copy I got to access via NetGalley featured a shorter version of the full book, so I can only speak to that and have not seen this work in its entirety. However, it is evident how much careful thought, exploration, practice, research and experience Dr. McBride has put into this delicate piece. Her approach is extremely refreshing and aims to counter the traditional mind-body devide that has been taught for a long time in both conventional and psychological thought. I believe that to be very relevant for our society and can only recommend books like this to accompany one's journey to wholeness. Hillary shows a lot of comfort, care and knowledge in her words which I always appreciate - she never fails to make you feel held and seen.

For this work specifically, I really enjoyed the practical approach its taking. Doing one exercise per day/week/month or whatever pace works for each reader can be extremely helpful and easily digestable. Beautiful! I will definitely purchase the full version in January.

[Monica H (TeaandBooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practices for Embodied Living: Experiencing the Wisdom of Your Body by Hillary L. McBride, PhD is an illustrated hands-on book on learning to live better with your body and to understand how your body can guide your thinking.

I was drawn to this book as someone who has been listening to The Body Keeps Score (on audiobook) by Bessel Van der Koelk. I think they pair well together. However, McBride also has a more in-depth book that she published previously entitled, The Wisdom of Your Body. It is on my list to get and I understand that this book pairs well with her first book.

Practices for Embodied Living, from my perspective, is along the lines of a workbook or guided journal. It isn't just a book to read. It is a book to use to reflect on your life and experiences so that you can grow and learn how to better understand your body. I read through this book but I have not yet taken time to do all of the exercises in it. I think that is something that you can't rush through. I like the simple, eye catching illustrations and I like how the book does cause me to reflect and grow in my life. In the front of the book is a section called, "How to use this book." I encourage you to read that first. Then take your time and work through the book in a way that works for you.

I supported the author by pre-ordering and purchasing a copy of this book from Amazon. All opinions within this review are my own.

[Ioana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is so precious and I'm very happy I got the chance to read it.

I understand this book follows the previous one from the same author, I haven't read that one and I feel this can be perfectly read as a standalone.

It features a very small kind of introduction to certain aspects of our bodies, like how they relate to sexuality, safety, spirituality, pain and then a lot of inquiries and exercises follow. It is a wonderful tool to connect with our emotions and our bodies. It's like our bodies' first exercise book.

It is all written in a compassionate, kind and very attentive tone, trying to encapsulate special needs yet also remaining pretty general. It's the type of book you keep close, you explore from time to time and take what you need from it.

While I was pretty familiar with the approach, this book took embodiment to a new level and understanding for me and, because of this, I feel it's gonna be one of the books I will gift the most in the following years.

If understanding yourself is something you are interested in, this book could be of great help.

I received a copy of this book in order to share my view on it.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the past five years, I've begun to realize how disconnected I am from my body. So, I appreciate books and other resources that help me reconnect with myself. This book helps me achieve this goal. From page one, clinical psychologist and researcher Dr. Hillary McBride offers practical questions I can use to explore my body.
With compassion and a holistic perspective, she invites me to explore various ways my understanding of my body is broken, such as stress, trauma, pain, sexuality, oppression, and spirituality. And she offers prompts, activities, questions, and reflections that help me get in touch with and more fully inhabit my body.
This book is one I would reference regularly as I heal. The resources at the end include a guide for group study facilitators. It's not heavy and includes little research, but readers can find this information in her other book, "The Wisdom of Your Body." I'm grateful this book is a stand-alone because I prefer its practical advice to a textbook-like resource.

[Angela Schaffner · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a psychologist who works with many who want an improved relationship with their body, I am always looking for valuable resources to support their work in therapy. This book will be my new go-to recommendation and would also work well as a guide or something to integrate into a therapy group. I wish this resource had been available 20 years ago, and I believe many will benefit from the wealth of options to move toward positive embodiment and a kinder and gentler overall approach to viewing our bodies. I was moved by the author's attention to detail, practicality, and information that feels relevant for a diverse group of readers. So often I feel like I'm reading the same things over and over in this type of resource, but this book stands out with new and more helpful and effective ideas that are well supported by research. This book has the potential to entirely shift someone's relationship with their body if they do the practices consistently.

[Jone Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a handy self-care guide, especially for those less familiar with or wanting a reminder of the concept of embodiment.

The tone is gently encouraging and supportive, not judgmental or directive.

The book is a balanced mix of simple, do-able exercises, affirmations, and conceptual explanations that are simple and full. The book also highlights basic and simple fundamental principles, like "my body is me" and "It is never too late to learn how to come back home to myself."

Topics include some basics of embodiment, emotions, trauma and stress, pain and illness, oppression/power, pleasure and enjoyment, and spirit.

The Appendix, a Leader's Guide to using these ideas and exercises with groups, is quite obviously practical. I’ve facilitated many groups and can easily see using these ideas.

[Louise Foerster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughout the excellent PRACTICES FOR EMBODIED LIVING, Hillary McBride encourages readers to live from their most grounded, centered, and whole self. Transferring emphasis from only thinking to whole-bodied knowing, the reader is supported in seeing themselves as larger than their brain, words, and culturally imposed ideas of what it is to live a good life. While parts of the book felt repetitive to me, I did enjoy the beautiful visuals and the experience of having my fundamental beliefs about living well challenged. I see this book as being essential reading for counselors, teachers, those who are educators and coaches in all walks of life. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you love The Wisdom of your Body? This book is almost a companion piece.

Discussing everything from stress and trauma, body image and sexuality, McBride does such a wonderful job of reconnecting our brains with our body.

This is an active book. Read, yes, but there are lots of calls-to-action to help you self-reflect.

I don’t know if I agree with everything she states (can I disagree with a doctor?). For instance, while a lot of what we consider problems and faults with our body come directly from capitalism, and society’s misogyny, sometimes our body DOES malfunction, and I wish there had been more attention paid to those with chronic conditions.

Thanks to NetGalley and Brazos Press for this helpful ARC.

[Katy LeWalk Kuhr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be a really great way to lead a group yoga/meditation class. Not all classes focus as heavily on the topics of meditation and self-acceptance, so this book may be helpful for those settings.

However, this book challenges the status quo in a strictly positive mindset. Ideas about who you are, how you look/feel, and how the world interacts with your physical body, etc. are all viewed in a very uplifting mindset. AKA, all things are good all the time no matter the circumstances. This is great for renewed self-assurance, but not exactly practical in all environments. I do not believe this book poses the questions for self-growth and improvement as well as it does immediate self-acceptance.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book by Dr. Hillary McBride is full of wonderful practices and actions we can use to connect with our bodies. She takes us through some beautiful exercises, explanations and journal prompts that we all can use to become more embodied. The practices are wonderful to use along with her life-changing book "The Wisdom of Your Body" as they are created to expand upon the practices and thoughts laid out in the book. Along with her beautiful words are illustrations and diagrams that complement the writing and spaces to fill in your thoughts and answers. I am looking forward to coming back to this book in years and years to come!

[Michelle Castaneda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practices for Embodied Living: Experiencing the Wisdom of Your Body by Hillary L. McBride PhD is an important book. I’m so glad this author wrote it! I love this author’s previous work and was excited to see what this new book would add. This new book adds so much. Here, you’ll find practical strategies for experiencing embodiment. This is a book to revisit again and again. I highly recommend it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

[Guerry Sisters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Brazos Press for our free copy of Practices for Embodied Living: Experiencing the Wisdom of Your Body

Rating: 4 star
Genre: Nonfiction/Body Image

Thoughts: My favorite part of this book was the practices that you can take away from this book around body image. As always, if body image feel distressing to you, I would always encourage you to work with a professional to navigate topics related to your body. Overall, this a good, quick guide for practices related to body image & being in a body.

[Mallory Smolen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hillary does it again - a book with grace and wisdom while also calling others to pursue a deeper wholeness. The practicality that she writes with in this book is a gift that will allow others to forge a deeper relationship with their body - and even encourage others to do the same. The practices that she has compiled for this book are written as a beautiful invitation for deeper connection. This book is a must read for anyone who desires to connect more intentionally with theirselves and their body. Will be returning to this book and the practices throughout.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of reflections and exercises serves as a great follow-up and companion to McBride's, The Wisdom of Your Body. Her clear prose sparkles with warmth and gentleness because she recognizes that some of the questions and prompts she offers can be challenging.

I found it easy to discern which prompts felt most helpful to my current circumstances, and I would love to go through the book with a small group of learners who want to grow.

Many thanks to Baker Academic, NetGalley, and the author for a free e-copy for review.