The Psychosomatic Impact of Judgement on the Body

Author: Bianca Moeschinger

December 2024

The Diaphragm: A Bridge Between Two Worlds

The diaphragm and kidneys are situated in the solar plexus chakra, which serves as the home of judgment, fear, and focus. Together, they form a gateway between the known and the unknown, bridging the mental and the physical, as well as the conscious and subconscious aspects of ourselves. While the diaphragm functions autonomically to sustain breath, it is unique in its ability to be consciously controlled. This dual role links it closely with the kidneys and the flow of life, creating a space where we can alchemize experiences and gain clarity.

This dynamic relationship positions the diaphragm as a crucial bridge, harmonizing the upper and lower layers of our emotional and physical anatomy. Below the diaphragm lies the belly, often described as the home of our gut feelings, emotions, and the subconscious and unconscious layers of who we are. It is where we carry the unspoken, the instinctual, and the deeply rooted, as well as how supported and safe we feel in the world. Above the diaphragm resides the heart—the center of feeling and action. This is where choices are made: yes or no, fast or slow, strong or gentle.

The diaphragm becomes the key to harmonizing these realms, connecting the belly's instinctual wisdom to the heart's emotional discernment. It also governs our access to our power center—our legs, our grounding, and where we psychosomatically “stand” in the world.

Judgment: The Act of Discernment

Judgment is the process of discernment, where we sift between what we feel and what we think we know. It’s an essential tool for navigating life, helping us align gut instincts with emotional clarity and mental understanding.

However, judgment can become distorted. When the connection to our gut feelings is disrupted—whether due to fear, emotional disconnection, or a reluctance to feel the past—judgment can lose its balance. In this state, judgment becomes overactive, critical, and divisive, separating us from our natural flow.

When Judgment Takes Over

When judgment becomes unbalanced, its effects ripple through the psychosomatic body:

• Mental Health Impacts: Overactive judgment can lead to anxiety, rumination, and self-doubt. The mind becomes a relentless critic, questioning every decision and suppressing spontaneity.

• Repressed Anger and Rage: Disconnected judgment often stifles emotions, particularly anger. This unexpressed energy can sit in the diaphragm, creating tension and disrupting breath.

• Separation from Life: Excessive judgment can create a barrier, separating us from the world and ourselves. It fosters a modeling of self-based on external impressions rather than an authentic connection to who we truly are.

• Disconnection from the Body: Judgment can disrupt the natural flow between the belly and the heart, creating a psychosomatic blockage. This disconnect leaves us cut off from our instincts and feelings, perpetuating cycles of fear and avoidance.

The Balance of Judgment

Judgment, when in balance, is a natural and useful emotion. It helps us discern what serves us and what does not. It enables us to align our instincts with our emotions and intellect, creating a harmonious flow within the body.

But judgment needs to be kept in check. When we consciously engage with our diaphragm, we create a bridge that allows us to connect with our gut feelings while staying open to the heart’s wisdom.

A Psychosomatic Perspective

From a psychosomatic standpoint, the diaphragm's role in judgment is profound. Its ability to connect or disconnect the belly and heart mirrors how we integrate or separate our instincts and emotions. By consciously working with the diaphragm—through breathwork, movement, or self-reflection—we can restore the flow between these vital centers.

This practice allows us to approach judgment not as a critic, but as a guide. Instead of being trapped in the rigidity of external expectations, we can return to a state of connection, authenticity, and self-awareness.

Closing Thoughts

The solar plexus chakra and diaphragm hold the key to balancing judgment and connecting with our deeper self. Judgment is part of our human experience, but it is not meant to dominate our emotional landscape. By paying attention to how judgment feels in the body—its connection to breath, tension, and flow—we can better understand its role and effects.

Through this awareness, we can reclaim our natural balance, aligning gut instincts with heart wisdom and fostering a relationship with ourselves and the world that is grounded, open, and authentic.