Time out!

A couple of weeks ago, I was visiting with some friends who have two young children. The mother was telling me that her son, who we'll call Johnny, had some challenges with focus and attention currently not significant enough to warrant the label of ADD/ADHD. When I inquired about which methods or strategies she used to deal with the situation I was pleasantly surprised.

Whenever Johnny has difficulty listening or focusing, she sends him to his room for what she called a “sensory time out.” He goes to his room and bounces his back on his bed five or six times. He can also hug himself, or someone else, real tight. The method basically helps him bring his attention into his body.

After listening to her I said, “Oh my God, that's just like SRI” (Somato-Respiratory Integration). Of course, SRI is a little more involved but the basic concept of connecting to the body is the same.

Whenever we are not present, which includes times of depression, anxiety or inability to focus, among many others; we are effectively having a conversation in our head. When our attention is on the conversation, we have very little attention or presence in our body.

SRI utilizes a combination of breath, movement and focused attention directed to specific parts of the body. One of the many results is a deeper connection to one's own internal body rhythms. As I say often, it is impossible to be focused on your body rhythms and mental conversation simultaneously.

In my experience, I would say that an overwhelming majority of the people I work with are quite “disconnected” from their bodies. This isn't all that surprising to me based upon how busy our lives have become. What is a little surprising and somewhat disturbing is the fact that this epidemic is even affecting our children. The increasing numbers of children being labeled with ADD/ADHD is sadly alarming.

It is good to see that at least some other disciplines are beginning to take a body centered approach to this problem. I encourage everyone, adult or child, to seek a system like SRI that helps develop simple tools for increased body awareness, connection and focus.