How our Words can Shape our Body ~ Slow

August 6, 2025

Have you ever paused to consider how the words we use—whether spoken out loud or in our minds—can shape not only our emotions but also our physical experience?  The words we choose don’t just shape our own experience—they ripple outward, influencing how others feel, respond, and relate to us.


Words carry weight. They can energize us, ground us, inspire, or even deplete us. The fascinating thing is that even words with similar meanings can create very different outcomes—both internally and externally.  Let’s take a moment to explore this through a body-based lens.



What Does the Word Slow Feel Like in Your Body?

Say it aloud: Slow.


Now pause and notice what happens in your body.

Is there a shift in your posture?

A change in breath?

Do you feel heavier? Softer? Tired?


When I speak or even think the word slow, I notice a sensation of being more weighted, grounded—maybe even a bit heavy or still. For some, that might feel calming. For others, it may feel like lethargy or even a sense of aging. In fact, someone once told me, “Moving slow makes me feel old.”


That single comment sent me down a curious path: If “slow” doesn’t feel supportive, what other words might?


Try These Words On Instead:


In place of slow, what if we say:

  • Deliberate
  • Intentional
  • Purposeful


Pause with each one. Say them aloud.


 Do you notice a shift in how you move, sit, or breathe?


 Do these words feel more empowering or clear?


The tone and texture of a word matters. Each word carries its own resonance, tempo, and emotional landscape. When we speak or think them—especially during movement—they shape how we feel, how we relate to our bodies, and even how others respond to us.


Your Cells Are Listening

One of my mentors Marie Jose' used to say during training,
“Speak kindly to your body—your cells are listening.”


 That stuck with me. It was the first time I truly began to notice how language can shape our experiences on a cellular level.


Since then, I’ve made a practice of swapping out language that feels heavy or defeating with words that are clear, supportive, and empowering.


What About You?


Take a moment to play with these word swaps. Maybe even journal or speak them aloud during your next movement practice.


  • Which word(s) created a positive felt sense in your body?
  • Which helped you feel more present, steady, or connected?
  • On the flip side, can you think of a word that brings a negative physical response when you say or think it?



I’d love to hear what you discover.


Words matter—and how we use them may just change how we move through the world.


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