There is evidence showing that multimodal encoding—processing information simultaneously through different senses (e.g., vision, hearing, touch) or movements—helps us recall information. Studies indicate that self-performed actions associated with linguistic tasks can support memorization of words and the learning of new word meanings. More specifically, it is easier to remember the sentence “grasp the orange” if we perform the action of grasping an (imaginary) orange ourselves, rather than observing someone else perform the action or simply reading or hearing the sentence.

Mindfulness, which is an essential part of the Hakomi method, is a state of conscious self-inquiry — a practice of presence, where attention is directed to the here and now. Sensations, bodily feelings, memories, emotions, and thoughts are met as they are, not as we wish them to be. The work is grounded in a shared and bi-directional mindfulness between two people — the therapist and the client. In Hakomi, this is known as guided self-study.