> In what way is it supposed to encourage introspection?

You actually pay attention to how you’re feeling. Hopefully you do it on a regular basis so that you get better at it, it comes more easily, you do it faster and with less effort and sometimes you slip into it unconsciously as a matter of habit. Some people are easily and unconsciously in contact with their emotions, as others are with their bodies. Others aren’t. I am much more aware of my posture and breathing for years of running, yoga and weightlifting. Even though I do far less of all of those than I did before I had children I know my body much better now than I did at 20. Some people need equivalent things for emotions.