It is normal to hear a fitness instructor cue inhalations and exhalations, left or right sides of the body and water breaks, whether you are in a step, kick boxing or cardio pump class, but if you try a yoga class you may hear instructions that take body awareness to another level. Most of yoga’s principles seem simple enough at first glance, but let’s examine the implications of the cue, “listen to your body.”
Listening to the body requires that one is prepared to quiet the mind of external thoughts long enough to pay attention to each physical sensation experienced during a practice. If you are preoccupied with moving onto the next item on your checklist of things to do that day, or perhaps some interpersonal conflict that you are trying to work through, then you are bound to miss out on the valuable mind and body connection that you could be experiencing.
The quieting of the mind allows you to more deeply recognize what muscles you are using to hold a pose. Being present at your yoga class will remind you to question whether or not holding your jaw tight is actually going to help you maintain your Triangle. You may notice that you are also holding your breath to maintain your Tree or Warrior Three pose when you stop comparing your practice to that of the other students around you.
The body also tells us if we are doing too much or too little in our yoga practice. When we challenge ourselves beyond our physical abilities, the body sends us a friendly pain message. Yoga is based on a principle of ahimsa (or nonviolence) which is to be applied to ourselves while we practice. Certainly we are encouraged to challenge ourselves, but we accomplish this more fully by limiting our experience to “this is somewhat uncomfortable,” rather than, “this makes me want to cry.” Likewise, the body can become overly relaxed (in a challenging pose like Extended Side Angle) by collapsing the torso onto the side that is supporting the stretch.
Being more mindful and present during any exercise routine can seriously enhance your experience and make your work more productive.
Related Blogs:
Does Being Super Fit Equal Super Healthy?
Weight Loss & Loving Your Body