8 October 2016: Most think they know their body very well. But the majority of us only do so on an intellectual level. Based on what we have learned about anatomy, organs, processes etc. And based on the image we see in the mirror.
In our society we have become heavily focused on what's going on in our heads. So much so that we are hardly aware of what's going on in our bodies. Unless we become sick and pain is grabbing our attention. But without obvious pain it is hard to perceive the myriad of subtle on-going physical sensations.

Just give it a go and do a little spot check: choose random spots on or in your body, about the size of a fingernail, and try to feel the sensations in that specific part. To make it easier you can try a surface spot first, quite easy are fingertips and toes. Trying out several spots you will soon find some “blank” or vague/hazy areas which you cannot feel clearly, which you cannot reach with your awareness.

The mind-body connection is strong. Trauma and physical aches and pains, stiffness and chronic tension are often linked. There are various body psychotherapy approaches working with this connection, focusing on the somatic experience and the embodied self. Vipassana meditation and Jon Kabat-Zinn's body scan are based on it as well.

Using this connection can also be very helpful for hypnosis. There are many different induction and deepening techniques for hypnosis. From my experience those that are utilising body sensations and body awareness are very powerful. They function on an experiential level, beyond words and thoughts. They are an excellent preparation for a strong immersive hypnotic experience including all senses, which goes to deep levels, which mere talk can't reach.

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