Embodied practices for teams

Empty space

Empty space makes room for something new.
Abstract illustration for embodied intelligence toolbox by Anna Muchenikova.
Graphic design: Anna Muchenikova

Every day at work, we need to reserve empty spaces in our calendars to pause, breathe and connect to self and others. Empty spaces offer room for reflection, for seeing freshly, for connecting to what matters most, for letting go of something old and for letting something new emerge.

When we take a break from the performance-oriented way of working, we make space for new ideas to surface. There is room for creativity and free interaction that deepens people’s relationships and sense of belonging. Empty spaces are essential for our capacity to change.

“We cannot see freshly without stopping our habitual ways of being, thinking and perceiving.” – Participant in the CBCR pilot, reflection discussion

Empty spaces allow us — as individuals and as systems we are part of — to see and sense ourselves more deeply. Our habits, fears, busyness, opinions and personal biases don’t affect us only on a personal level, but on social and systemic levels, too.

Related practices

Check-in and check-out, Stuck and Guided journaling are simple practices that can be implemented both on individual and team levels. Try, for example, to start your meetings with a check-in.

See also Guided mindfulness of the body by Arawana Hayashi – by cultivating a mindfulness of a body, we can try to connect to the innate goodness and caring.

Abstract illustration for embodied intelligence toolbox by Anna Muchenikova.

Check-in and check-out

Bring presence and a sense of connectedness into social situations.

Embodied practices for teams
Abstract illustration for embodied intelligence toolbox by Anna Muchenikova.

Stuck

Let your body guide you from current reality to emerging future.

Embodied practices for teams
Abstract illustration for embodied intelligence toolbox by Anna Muchenikova.

Guided journaling

Open access to more versatile ways of knowing and doing through a deeper level of self-reflection.

Embodied practices for teams

Other key insights from our learning journey

Abstract illustration for embodied intelligence toolbox by Anna Muchenikova.

Stillness, non-doing and being grounded

Reconnect mind and body and become aware of your presence.

Embodied practices for teams
Abstract illustration for embodied intelligence toolbox by Anna Muchenikova.

Experiencing connectedness and collective capacity for change

A deeper connection to ourselves, others and the world.

Embodied practices for teams
Abstract illustration for embodied intelligence toolbox by Anna Muchenikova.

Not-knowing

Trust other kinds of knowing to sense underlying potentials.

Embodied practices for teams
Abstract illustration for embodied intelligence toolbox by Anna Muchenikova.

Perseverance and anchoring

Process of internalising new habits can increase resilience.

Embodied practices for teams
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