Practices: The Language of Sensation

Interoceptive sensations are the internal signals of the body—subtle shifts in breath, tension, energy, and sensation that often unfold without words.

Sometimes these sensations are clear. At other times, they are just outside of awareness, or difficult to describe.

Having simple words can make it easier to notice what is happening in the body—what is sometimes called the felt sense.

Why this matters

When we slow down and put words to bodily sensations, it can:

• help us notice how the body responds to stress, safety, emotions, or thoughts

• increase awareness without needing to analyze or fix anything

• make sensations feel more understandable and less overwhelming

• create language for experiences that are often hard to describe

This is not about finding the right word. It is about noticing what feels closest to your experience.

How to use this

You might use this list to:

• gently scan the body and see which words fit right now

• track how sensations shift over time

• distinguish between thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations

• practice staying present with sensations rather than reacting to them

You may notice more than one sensation at a time, or very little at all. Both are part of the process.

A gentle reminder

There is no right or wrong way to describe your experience. You may find your own words, or use these as starting points.

The goal is not precision—it is curiosity and connection with your body.