Your Body has Messages!
I talk a lot about how to feel emotions, how to work with your own tricky mind, and other mental/emotional aspects of mind-body healing. However, the other aspect of mind-body healing is mental awareness of the physical body. For that reason, you’ll notice me teaming up with Jess Ryan, Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, frequently throughout the year to help you learn how to become more and more aware of your body in beneficial ways.
Most of us do not realize how disconnected we are from our bodies until they scream at us in the form of pain. We walk around oblivious to the tension in a variety of muscles, and therefore don’t access the message within that tension. The muscles are trying with all their might to tell us about suppressed emotions, a life path that isn’t right for us, detrimental thoughts from our inner critic, and much more. If we don’t check in with our bodies, we miss the messages. Then, and only then, do we need the scream of pain to wake us up to the importance of body awareness.
What does your right big toe feel like right now? How about your left ear? What do the tips of your fingers feel like? Are you breathing? (I know it sounds like a silly question, but you’d be surprised how often you actually hold your breath throughout the day!) Are you hungry? Full? Over-full? Are you thirsty, tired, or over-stimulated? Are you relaxed anywhere in your body? Are you tense anywhere in your body? What does your scalp feel like right now?
Is there anything your body wants to tell you in this moment? Sit quietly and notice your breath. Don’t try to change it – just ask it to do what it knows how to do. Your body will run perfectly without mental interference. It’s wise. After watching several breaths, ask your body directly for any messages it might be longing to give you right now. Then wait in silence. Doodle on a piece of paper while you wait, and don’t judge anything that arises. Just jot it down.
Then do it!
If nothing comes up, just keep up the technique a couple times each day. Once your body notices your awareness, it will begin to speak to you. You will learn how to hear its voice and translate from body speak (the easiest method is to draw or do anything that engages your right brain). You are developing a brand new relationship with your body, so be patient. Allow it to unfold in its own time. Allow the body to learn to trust you, and you to trust it.
What did your body request? Post below in the comments area! I’d love to have a fun discussion about this, as it’s such an interesting topic! Our bodies have so much to say.
