How can I use body awareness to understand my digestive issues better?

When we slow down enough to notice, the body tells us things the mind alone never will. I've spent decades teaching people to inhabit their physical experience rather than escape it, and the gut is one of the most honest teachers we have. Start by simply noticing. Before eating, pause. What do you feel in your belly? After eating certain foods, where does sensation appear? Is it tightness, heaviness, ease, or something you can't quite name? Don't try to fix it yet—just observe, like you're watching a river flow. Your digestive system responds to stress, speed, and disconnection. When you're rushed or anxious, your body literally can't digest well. So the practice isn't complicated: eat in a seated position. Chew slowly—aim for twenty times per bite if you can. Notice the taste. This isn't indulgence; it's information. Over weeks, patterns emerge. You'll notice which foods and rhythms support you, which ones create disruption. You're not fighting your body; you're learning its language. That awareness itself becomes medicine. Many people find that simply paying attention—without judgment—begins the healing.