Yes, honor the body. Do not try to leave it when you meditate. It is your ally not your enemy. You, the soul, chose the body to be the container for your experiences in human form. Why would you want to ignore it? It conveys messages. It is part of your wholeness. You need not focus upon the body whilst in meditation or connecting with loved ones, but do not dismiss it, either. All layers of your being make up the whole. Embrace yourself literally and figuratively, and turn up the love. You are so very loved.
Is the dancer on the left you Suzanne?
Allowing yourself to feel the Spirit within our bodies is powerfully invigorating. That vigour helps you to move to (or at least toward) awareness of the powers of your higher self, simply because it IS Spirit. SPIRIT heals body, mind and Soul, gently, honestly and necessarily to better all parts of your life. Your body is obviously a large part. Trust the vigour with which you are supplied if you hope to heal, savour and raise yourself up with gratitude. You will be left with more gratitude than/that you know yet how to give .