Q. Is it possible to Focus with physical things in the body? A lot of my problems are physical.

A. Yes, it is very possible to use Focusing with physical things. Just as with any life difficulty, if you spend time with it in a Focusing way, that is, by giving it good attention with interested curiosity, and making space for it to be just as it is, it will begin to soften and ease. The life energy that was locked inside begins to loosen and free up. The ‘living forward energy’ then has a chance to begin to express itself and to move and change. What was held can now release. Just like a plant that has been tied into too small a space, when it is released it can begin to grow into the shape it would naturally be.

It happens in small ways, over a period of time, perhaps a number of sessions. But even one session can provide an easing and a release, so that you begin to feel better immediately.

Even more than simply Focusing with it, you can use Wholebody Focusing, a technique and development of Focusing, developed by Kevin McEvenue of Toronto, Canada. This is a wonderful process that starts with a grounded sense of wholeness in the body and the support of the environment, and then invites the physical problems to show themselves. There is already a big holding context for the physical problem. It begins to feel safe enough to show more of itself and it is allowed to be there, just as it is.

You maintain a continual awareness of the whole body, grounded in the environment which is much bigger then your physical body. Within the context of this held space, the problem parts of the body can begin to unwind, loosen and find its right way of being. It is always in the direction of healing. The body moves towards its own wholeness. You don’t have to do anything to make it happen. You simply give your consent to what the body wants to do. You keep yourself grounded, and you have present moment awareness of your body, its wholeness as well as its discomfort, and also the context of the supportive larger environment. It can be quite remarkable what happens. Even if there is not a dramatic big shift, you will most probably feel a lot better by the end of the Focusing session.