Understanding Mind-Body Experience from the Perspective of Interoceptive Awareness: A 21-Day Embodied Practice Intervention.
Zixi Liu, Zhen Wu, Jingchao Zeng, Haosheng Ye
Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) March 11, 2026 DOI: 10.3390/bs16030411 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 11 |
| Population | Urban adults in mainland China |
| Interventions | nasal breathing regulation spontaneous mandala making descriptive journaling weekly group sharing |
| Duration | 21-day intervention |
| Keywords | Breathing practice Cross-cultural perspective Embodied cognition Flow experience Interoception Mind–body relationship |
| Key findings | Systematic engagement in the breath-mandala intervention heightened sensitivity to chest-centered embodied sensations and promoted integration of bodily experience into personal narratives. |
Abstract
This qualitative study examined how a 21-day integrated program fosters interoceptive awareness and mind-body integration among urban adults in mainland China (n = 11). The intervention combined daily nasal breathing regulation, spontaneous mandala making, and descriptive journaling, complemented by weekly group sharing. Using a cultural-psychological lens, we investigated how an inward-turning tradition in Chinese culture shapes embodied experience and meaning-making. Applying Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to diaries, drawings, and focus-group data, we identified three interrelated processes: (1) the refinement of bodily attention; (2) a shift from deliberate control to natural immersion; and (3) the symbolization of feeling through artistic expression and social resonance. Findings indicate that systematic engagement in the "breath-mandala" intervention heightened sensitivity to chest-centered embodied sensations and promoted the integration of bodily experience into personal narratives; a non-goal-directed, relaxed practice style facilitated the transition from control to absorption, activating self-regulatory mechanisms; and non-evaluative awareness deepened flow while supporting cognitive reorganization and reflective capacity. The study delineates a core pathway by which breath-triggered interoceptive work operates within mind-body interventions, offering a theoretical basis and practical direction for tailored regulation programs across diverse populations.