Body Language

And a body scan meditation.

When I teach yoga, I often ask people about their injuries, aches, and pains before we start class. If something doesn't feel right, it’s always a good idea to modify movements or skip them altogether, and to err on the side of caution.

It’s easy to get into habits that don’t support our well-being. We can chronically overdo and push past reasonable limits, exhausting ourselves and making it more likely that we aren’t paying attention to what we’re doing. We stare down at our phones, causing neck pain, or we scrunch our shoulders up closer to our ears when we feel stressed, creating tension and tightness in the shoulders. People also get disconnected from their bodies and may not realize that the emotions we feel, such as stress or anxiety, can lead to tension and pain in the body.

Photo by Bernardine Cantwell

We know our stomachs grumble when we are hungry, and our hearts beat faster when we’re exercising, but emotions also have bodily effects. We might get sweaty palms and a dry throat from nerves before a big speech, or feel butterflies or blush in front of our new crush. If we experience fear, we feel tension and tightness settle into our physical bodies, and it can be hard to release.

Getting to know your body and how it responds to different emotions and sensations will increase your self-awareness and improve your focus. If you can relax your body when you feel it getting tense, it will help you feel relief, both mentally and physically.

This week, we have a Body Scan meditation, and it’s one with a twist. We check in with our physical side, our breath, and our senses. When we consciously invite our bodies to relax, we feel calmer amidst our surroundings. When we practice doing this in meditation, we can make it a habit on and off the meditation cushion.

This body scan may also help you relax at bedtime. You can try it if falling asleep or staying asleep is an issue.

As always, please tell me how it goes. I love hearing from you.

Have a great weekend!

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