The Power of Becoming ‘Body Aware’ with Erica Hornthal

The Power of Becoming ‘Body Aware’ with Erica Hornthal

Our modern world is paradoxical in many ways, one being this: people will spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on books, courses, coaching, and therapy to become more self-aware— and yet, our technology and pace of living can cause us to be anything BUT aware.

Instead, we often find ourselves on autopilot, seldom relying on critical thinking or reflecting deeply on our internal experiences.

On the latest episode of the podcast, Dance/Movement Therapist Erica Hornthal talks with me about what it means to become 'body aware,' which she believes is the most significant step we can take toward both individual and collective transformation. As she says, "How you move in your life has a huge impact on who you are and who you become."

Dance/Movement Therapy, though a niche within the psychotherapy field, provides a unique perspective into human emotion and behavior cycles. By focusing not just on the ‘what’ we're feeling, but how we're moving, clinicians like Erica guide clients through a meaningful path to self-healing.

A significant part of becoming body aware involves understanding our boundaries and gaining bodily autonomy. Erica encourages people to explore their 'movement patterns', to understand what feels right for them. Her own personal work of transforming her experience of 'White Coat Syndrome' and how she learned to deconstruct her medical anxiety is a powerful example of the healing power of body awareness.

In establishing boundaries, it's critical to remember that every interaction is a dance of life, navigating what is akin to us and what isn't. Whether it's pushing, pulling, reaching, or grabbing, our bodies are continually communicating and expressing our experiences.

Our bodies are reservoirs of knowledge that remain untapped unless we learn to listen, decode, and comprehend their language. Becoming body aware isn't just about understanding the physical sensations we experience but unraveling the connection between those sensations and our thoughts.


About Erica

Erica Hornthal, known as "The Therapist Who Moves You" is a board-certified dance/movement therapist and licensed clinical professional counselor. She is the founder and CEO of Chicago Dance Therapy and author of the award-winning book, Body Aware.

​As a licensed talk therapist, Erica knows that words only get us so far— but if we’re willing to tap into its power, the body can take us the rest of the way as we process emotions and strengthen our mental health. Dance/Movement Therapy provides the structure and space for people to truly listen to their bodies. This practice isn’t about being a perfect dancer and it’s not just a way to let loose and have fun. It’s learning that movement is life — our movements influence our thoughts, which influence our behavior, which makes us who we are.

This episode covers:

  • 0:00 Intro

  • 1:08 Reading, Watching, Loving

  • 8:40 Something she wishes a past therapist or coach would have told her

  • 11:07 Having an old soul

  • 13:39 Slowing down to speed up

  • 15:02 Why she asks "how are you moving" over "how are you doing"

  • 19:53 Dance movement therapy field for those that may not be familiar with it

  • 23:40 What dance movement therapy is

  • 27:27 Foundation of lack of awareness and using our body to build that awareness

  • 32:17 Becoming bilingual with your mind and body

  • 38:48 White coat syndrome

  • 48:43 Setting boundaries


Resources + Stuff Mentioned in This Episode:


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DISCLAIMER: None of my online content or coaching services are to be considered as therapy or a substitute for individualized mental health treatment or healthcare. These offerings are created for entertainment and educational purposes. For full disclaimer, visit https://badbitchtherapist.co/disclaimer .