The Body Heals Itself: How Deeper Awareness of Your Muscles and Their Emotional Connection Can Help You Heal

by Emily A. Francis

Listen to the Emotional Wisdom of Your Muscles and Experience a Deeper Level of Healing You know a lot about the emotions in your mind and heart, but you probably don't know much about the emotions in your muscle body. The muscles are storehouses of emotion, and pain in those muscles is how your body reveals what needs to be healed―both emotionally and physically. Organized by muscle groups, The Body Heals Itself is your ideal guide to understanding the link between your emotions and muscle bodies. This book acts as a road map for the energetic journey within your own body, showing you how to recognize and release stored emotions to let go of pain. You'll discover which emotions are often paired with a specific muscle area and how muscles speak of everything from past traumas to current celebrations. Using stretches, affirmations, visualizations, and more, Emily A. Francis teaches you to unite your mind and body for better health and emotional well-being. "Readers interested in holistic treatments and therapies will find this a solid reference."― Library Journal "Emily Francis' work is an important offering in the maturation of the emotional body. I believe the future of the planet depends on books like hers."―Katie Silcox, New York Times bestselling author of Healthy Happy Sexy "[ The Body Heals Itself features] new awareness and understanding of what our bodies have to teach us and, most importantly, how we can become masterful listeners."―Thom Rutledge, psychotherapist and author of Embracing Fear and The Self-Forgiveness Handbook " The Body Heals Itself is a fascinating read. It takes us into the emotions and deep wisdom of our body in surprising ways. This book gives us tools to understand this hidden part of ourselves―one that may have formally been an acquaintance now becomes an intimate friend."―Dr. Paulette Kouffman Sherman, psychologist and author of The Book of Sacred Baths

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Self Help, Psychology, Medicine, Spirituality

312 pages, Paperback

Published December 8, 2017

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first chapters of this book articulate the adage "the issues are in the tissues". It pulls apart that statment and really explains this truism in a scientific way. There are some really nice exercises for exploration. I've done a couple and really enjoyed them.

Loved this: "Remember that the body heals itself. However it does not heal without your full participation. It's a formula and only you will know what yours will be. You will have to listen to your muscles, your mind, your gut, and your heart. Think of it as a jury. If one of those things votes the other way, there is chaos. You have to do the work to establish the peace within your own being."

[The Starry Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Body Heals Itself looks at muscle memory from a metaphysical perspective. This book has a Louise Hay ring to it because she built her career on her books about the emotional body. This book takes it a step further by focusing in on our muscles- which is something Louise Hay did not.

A discussion on the biology of muscles was included to help readers understand their functions. From there, muscles as storehouses for memories was included using both biological and spiritual examples. The author’s main point was that when muscles are massaged and stretched- emotions are released. She gave examples of clients she worked with who were able to discuss and heal old wounds when their muscles were massaged and activated which helped to prove her point. Chakras and meridians were also described, which is pretty standard for these types of books.

By the far the most interesting and important part of the book was learning the emotional component of each muscle group which is directly linked to their functions. Stretching techniques were included, along with recommended crystals, and essential oils. The main thesis of the body healing itself comes through when by the end of the book we are reminded that muscles remember when they are healthy as does the body. Our body stores emotions in order for us to go within and release them. Healing can only occur when the body is an active participant.

Overall a fascinating read that will ultimately offer a deeper appreciation of something we take for granted- our muscles.

[Emmy Lou Musgrave · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this book was very informative. I like that the author, Emily Francis, made constant note throughout that pain can still be physical and could still need professional medical help.

It was interesting to read. For me personally, a lot of the information on emotional ties to pain made sense; I had just never put two and two together. Like your back holds emotions tied to betrayal, hence the saying "stabbed in the back". It was eye-opening to read about emotions and pain in this light.

The whole book was very informative about the different muscle groups and what type of movement they do and what emotions are tied to them. Francis gave some great stretches for each muscle she talked about.

[Emiley Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful beginners book on the idea of the emotional body and how to help heal the soul though movement. It’s a great reference for physical therapy and Ayurvedic practices. This book mainly centers about the physical body and don’t stray to far into metaphysical definitions. This author offers a lot of good information that you can connect to activities such as yoga and mindful meditations. Over all a good book for people just diving into the knowledge of physical understanding. This great who lost practice helps the reader create a stronger grasp on with their bodies and what it might be telling them.

[Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was charged many overdue fees from my library because of this book. I just couldn’t give it back after using the affirmations to so successfully stretch and release tension everywhere in my body. Very helpful perspective on healing to me personally’

[aMandalin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Welllll… you have to take this book with a grain of salt, especially as a God-fearing, conservative person.

PROS: loved all the photos/diagrams of the physical muscular/nervous system structures and stretches to help each area. Even some recommendations for essential oils to help relieve pain in specific areas.

CONS: most of the book? it’s too new agey. I had to skip a LOT. The beginning has ridiculous affirmations that are almost blasphemous. (I do believe affirmations work, in the correct place and used properly. I used affirmations for my home birth and had a 4 hour start to finish birth that was not painful, only intense.) I glanced at just a few of her affirmations in this book and then quickly skipped those pages. I also hated all the crystal info. I would never recommend this book as a Christian.

[Dasha K-Va · Rating 1 out of 5]

Picked this up hoping I’d learn a thing or two about anatomy and somatics. Then I read this passage, where the author details her method for creating a “sacred space:”

“I (…) open up with prayer, inviting all of my spirit helpers in.

I also ask them if they would like to pray and who they would like to invite into our sacred space.

I offer this to them because they should have every say in who comes in and who does not.

They also might want to hear that they are in fact in a safe space, and I am setting our intentions for the session clearly and in a powerful and safe way.”

I can, without hesitation, confirm that I am not the target audience of this book. 😅

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a story skip this book. This is a book that actually looks into the body, mainly the muscles. It teaches you exercises and takes you to a deeper level of healing then popping a pill. It is a bit dry but still interesting if you are into learning not just mindless reading.

I received this book from the Author or Publisher via Netgalley.com to read and review.

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was interested in this book, however I don't think that in ebook it was at its best. I wanted to locate specific things and in this format it is just difficult to do. I coudln't find things easily and therefore gave up with it after a shorter than usual time. In hard copy this would probably have been a great book.

[Allison Altepeter · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Loved the beginning chapters connecting intangible with tangible - thoughts/emotions with the physical. Great as a reference book if you are having specific muscle complaints. But gets very repetitive and felt twice as big as it needed to be.

[Rachelle Slaughter · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was good, until it got too woowoo in a not good way. Too yoga-hinduistic-new agey. Threw it away, I recommend the concept of the body being connected to itself and healing being multi-dimensional, but do not recommend the book.

[Terry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing to see here, folks. Move on.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

It gave me insight on how to view the body. Tips on stones, oils, and other modalities that can help heal the body.

[Kat Narvaez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some insightful information on emotions held in muscles. Great book for a beginner, a little wordy and lofty if you're looking for deeper insights.

[Mark]

DPL 612.74 FRANCIS EMILY

Had from library for a while. Looks useful if one ignores the woo woo bits.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Well written. Will keep in my personal library and come back to often. It fits along with my belief that even physical issue has an emotional connection.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting! I suggest this book to yoga lovers and running sportives. This book provide another view emotional release connected to the physical body.

[Sally]

There were some ideas that made sense and I don't doubt here experiences, but it was just too New Agey for me - eg, crystals are always a bridge too far.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the medical crap we are told today is really not what we need at all. We come already designed to heal and repair ourselves if we only take the time to develop this ability. This book helps you to find out how to repair your inner self and your outer self as well using timeless methods that have worked since the beginning of human existance. Must read for all!