Mindful movement, a rewarding path to an embodied presence, allows access to your body’s latent energy. Each of us possesses varying degrees of health, flexibility, and fitness and a unique range of motion. After a major surgery, I was bedridden for two months. But even under those circumstances, some movement was possible and necessary for my recovery.
My “morning medicine” now includes a Hatha Yoga (gentle asanas) routine, breathing exercises, and resistance training using my body weight. It can be challenging enough to give me a workout, adaptable enough to accommodate changing conditions, and portable enough to practice wherever I go.
Regularly interrupting the endless flow of thoughts with mindful movement activates the parasympathetic nervous system (the part of your brain that makes you feel safe and relaxed), improves flexibility, reduces injury risk, elevates mood, and sharpens your ability to focus.
Consult your physician before starting a new exercise routine. As you begin, embrace yourself with loving kindness for who you are at this moment. One of my original mistakes was to compare myself to others. I felt ungainly and lacked the flexibility and motor abilities to try the most basic yoga poses. Start slowly and build your routine gradually while paying attention to how your body responds to the movements.
Traditional practices include yoga, tai chi, and qigong. Yet any movement performed with real presence and attention constitutes a mindful movement, allowing for improvisation and a wide range of options, from mindful walks to freestyle flows.
Start with a frequency and duration that works for you but make the practice one of your non-negotiable health priorities. Set a regular place and time. For me, it is the mornings before the craziness of life takes over. Gradually build up to workouts that fit your lifestyle but challenge you. Find an accountability partner with whom you can regularly share your practice and who will provide moral support. After a month, make a non-judgmental assessment. Adjust or tweak your routine as needed and keep going.
The invitation is to become a student of your body. “When we are attuned to our capabilities,” says instructor Amana Bembry Johnson, “free of comparisons or needing to fix anything, we can open to new possibilities and access greater internal wisdom.” Let your body be your guide; honor it with mindful motion and marvel at the miracle of your life.
Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash