3 Body Postures to Build Trust
Trust is the cornerstone upon which all other life milestones are built. It’s incredible how many frameworks and healing modalities agree on this fundamental truth.
The Primacy of Trust in 4 Different Frameworks
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Maslow’s famous Hierarchy of Needs begins with the fundamentals—the basics for survival, like air, water, food, shelter, sleep, and clothing. The question that must be answered before energy can be devoted to other needs is “Can I trust that my basic needs for survival will be met?” Is the universe a nurturing, providing place? In a perfect world, this question would always be answered a resounding “yes” in infanthood, as a new baby enters into a world of love and security provided by their family. But many infants learn instead that the universe is a withholding place where we must fight for survival.
2. The Seven Chakras
In yogic philosophy, the 7 chakras are understood to be the energy centers of the body. Fascinatingly, these energy centers overlap almost exactly with the body’s main hubs of connection points in modern chiropractic medicine. These energy centers affect not only physical ailments but also mental and emotional issues. The foundation of the chakra system is known as the root chakra. It is located at the base of the tailbone. The root chakra is connected to basic safety, trust, security, and identity. Crucially, if the root chakra is out of balance, all the other chakras are likely to be out of balance as well. It is important to develop a healthy root chakra in infanthood and early childhood in order to prevent huge issues like debilitating anxiety later down the line. Notice, too, how much the rest of the energy centers also correspond to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs above.
3. Erikson’s Stages of Human Development
Erik Erikson came up with 8 stages of human development, each with its own task to complete. How well one completes each task determines the extent to which they are set up for success in the next stage of development. Corresponding with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and the 7 Chakras, the very first task that must be completed is building trust that one’s basic needs will be met. Trusting that we can get our needs met builds a healthy view of self and others; we learn what we can control and what we can’t control, and we learn where we end and where others begin. If this task is not completed successfully, some of the most severe psychological issues like narcissistic personality disorder can result, and therapy often must incorporate core personality restructuring. Again, notice how well this overall system aligns with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and the 7 Chakras.
4. The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team
While Patrick Lencioni’s well-known “5 Dysunctions of a Team” framework that has served businesses so well for years doesn’t correspond quite as well overall with the three systems above, I still find it fascinating that Lencioni has identified that trust is the core, root issue that must be addressed if a team has any hope of being healthy and succeeding. And that absence of trust is the core, root issue of all dysfunction and poor results.
Body Postures to Build Trust
If you’re feeling scattered and ungrounded, if you’re struggling with fear and anxiety, you could benefit from spending some time in physical postures that are focused on trust, safety, and security. You could use these postures in a yoga/stretching workout, or you could pray or meditate in these positions while practicing deep breathing. Here are some of my favorite trust-building postures when I’m feeling unsafe, scattered, dissociated, and ungrounded.
Easy Seated/Sitting Cross-Legged
It’s so simple, but it can be so powerful. In our early childhood, this posture was common, but these days we spend so much of our time at desks, with our tailbones far above the ground. Something about our tailbone making connection with the earth reminds us that we are here, we are safe, and we are supported. Any ground will do, but if you can sit on the grass or soil, with bare feet, so much the better!
Take slow, deep breaths, and consider repeating something to yourself like, “I am here. I am safe. I am supported. I am nourished. I am comforted.” Important note: If it feels like a lie, I would encourage you to honor your truth by not saying it. These words are not a magical incantation; they have to be the result of what you feel to be true in your heart. I don’t say any words like these to myself until I’ve been silent, allowed myself to become aware of the comforting presence of God, and felt my heart rate slow down. What environment do you need around you to feel safe? Maybe you need the silence and solitude of a quiet room, rather than being outside. You may need dim, warm lighting, like candles or a Himalayan salt lamp, and you may wish to sit on a blanket and have another draped over your knees. You may wish to cover your head with something like a tallit or prayer shawl as a symbol that you are sheltered and protected.
What to do with your hands? Fists pressed to your chest, like pictured above, can be powerful, because this is an infancy posture. Babies press their fists to their chest like this, so this posture often feels warm, comforting, and nurturing. You may also choose to place your hands in your lap, palms facing up, right hand on top of the left, or right hand on heart, left hand on stomach.
2. Child’s Pose
This posture is all about stability, comfort, safety, and nurture. It brings us back to our origins in the womb. I often find that this posture fields especially nurturing with my arms not extended out in front of me, but rather behind me, with the fronts of my elbows resting on my knees. For reminding us of trust and stability especially, I prefer the knees out wide. If that either doesn’t work for you, or you want an especially nurturing and restful posture, you could put a body pillow under your torso.
3. Yogic Squat/Malasana
This one is actually pretty challenging for me because I have tight achilles tendons—but wow, does it help me build that inner trust and determination—the sense that I am truly here and showing up in life. The sense that I am supported and rooted in this world. If you think about it, it is basically just an upright child’s pose, with flexed feet and arms in the front instead of extended or behind. This is a pose that, again, we see small children naturally taking when they squat to inspect a caterpillar or a flower that’s captivated their attention. A child who is loved and protected can freely explore and inspect, knowing that the nurturing parent is right behind them, keeping a watchful eye over, guarding, and guiding them. This is a posture that reminds me that I am free to play and explore on this earth, because my Heavenly Father guards and protects me.
