Overview

So obvious that we often overlook it, the body is a container and expresser of all personal habits, reactions, and knowledge. Our capacity to accomplish, to connect to others, to persist in the face of difficulties is determined by the state of our bodies. And yet many coaches largely ignore the body; but by doing so they greatly diminish their chances for success. Including the body in our assessment and design makes our programs more dynamic and a better fit for our clients.

This chapter lays out the beginnings of a methodology and presents a rationale for always addressing the body in our coaching work.

Mr. Duffy lived a short distance from his body.

James Joyce

As I said earlier in the book, maybe the most obvious part of being a human being is that each of us has a body. Yet in our everyday world, and especially in business, the body is often ignored. It is as if we are working only with a person s head where thoughts reside (and therefore intelligence and control) and where the voice comes out. Of course, this is not the case. For if we reflect for just a moment, we can see that the body plays a huge role in how we act, what we feel is possible, and how we relate to others. Given that these three topics are central to coaching, it is a mistake to ever ignore the body in our coaching programs.

I understand in business that bringing...