The term Body Mapping — sometimes also called Somatic Mapping — can relate to various practices depending on the context in which it’s used. We’ll discuss these different practices here further below.
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First of all, Body Mapping may involve the act or process of creating (or having) one’s own mental Body Map, a phenomenon we’ve discussed in our previous post Body Map versus Body Image.
Secondly, Body Mapping may also refer to a practice that aims at gaining access to one’s own Body Map (the mental idea of one’s own body structure, function, and size) through exercises, self-observation, and self-inquiry in order to recognize the source of inefficient or harmful movements or doings, and learn to replace those with movements or doings that are efficient and healthy.
The idea here is that a person can correct their own Body Map by integrating accurate information provided by one’s assessment and experience of movement of the body, bodily reactions, the use of a mirror, anatomical models, books, pictures, and teachers.
Thirdly, Body Mapping may likewise refer to the process of creating visual Body Maps of one’s own body by drawing, painting, collage, or other art-based techniques in order to represent aspects of one’s inner life, one’s body perception, and the world one feels or experiences to live in.
This particular practice is used as a means of therapeutic work, story-telling, visual narrative, reflection, and emotional expression of lived experiences. However, the focus is mostly on allowing people to visually represent how their experiences impact or have impacted their bodies and vice versa.
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The abovementioned type of Body Mapping can be and is used for all kinds of people, but it’s not uncommon that it’s also explicitly used for LGBTQ+ folks.
A fourth type of Body Mapping is rather a mindfulness-based, conscious awareness touch activity used to find out what feels good or not good for a person, or if someone feels anything at all, and so on. This activity can be done alone, with a partner, or with a (somatic) therapist.
It can be aimed at sexual self-discovery, such as in Genital Mapping, but it can also be used more broadly for the entire body to become aware of the physical sensations when a certain body part is touched and what it emotionally evokes. In fact, this type of Body Mapping is closely related to Body De-Armoring and a means to come to emotional and trauma release and again becoming a whole and healthy person.
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