Mindful body
Many of us suffer from any one kind of body ache at one point or the other in our life. Have we wondered why does pain come? Our body is communicating with us. It gives signs to keep reminding us that this particular muscle is getting weak. Kindly take action.
What do we do ? We ignore the pain thinking that we are either too young to get such pains or we are very strong and there is no way that such things can happen to us or just relieve the pain with a pill. Each time, our body reminds us with a slight back pain, we keep on ignoring or apply a superficial balm .
Are we actually listening to our body?
Think of this way- traffic jam of millions of nerves passing through the spinal cord and the traffic policeman(our brain) has to co-ordinates all the systems to work in the most efficient manner. What if there is a block somewhere on the way….nerves have got jammed with some elongated discs , muscles have become too weak to help the nerves or to support the bones and discs. Then what happens? Policeman gives an alarm in the form of bea mild back pain. Body pleads us to look at her. If that is unnoticed by us then the intensity slowly increases so that it awakens us . We start getting nagging pains once in a while.it comes to a point that brain cannot take it anymore and the siren is pushed on always and then we rush to the orthopedist.
If the situation was like this:- everyday we take a few moments to pay attention to our breath, thoughts, emotions and physical sensations . We are “Mindful” and not “Mind full”. We are aware of the first sign of our body’s reactions and we determine to take action on that. Body feels indulged that its needs are taken care of. Brain is content and feels wanted J and decides to keep us fit in all angles. Does this look like a fantasy ?
We can all do this. While doing day to day chores, learn and train the mind to be aware . Do Yoga or any other exercise with awareness.
Observe the following while doing Yoga:
- The area getting stretched, compressed. Basically scan the body consciously in a relaxed manner
- Observe if there is any pain (even in the mildest form) while you are doing the stretches. Just be aware of what is happening and keep breathing consciously in a deep manner. Stretching in the background of deep relaxation will strengthen the muscles . You do not need to SWEAT to strengthen and keep fit. Just by being aware is the key to develop good health.
- By listening to our body cues , there is one primary advantage. We do not stretch to a point which is uncomfortable for us. This prevents any kind of exercise injury. Here we are listening to our body , being aware of what is happening to our pulse rate, the stretch or the compression of the muscle . We are listening on the side the instructions of the instructor , but we are also aware of our body. We stop in the junction beyond which is uncomfortable .
- We remain in the pose with deep breathing and giving affirmations to strengthen that particular muscle or organ.
- The best thing to do while in a pose is to scan the body. There might be lots of muscles which are unnecessarily strained. Be mindful and consciously release the strain . Enjoy being in the pose.
- When you come to a point that you are totally at ease in the final pose then transfer your mind to a place where you feel blissful or absolutely content. It can be a moment in your childhood, watching a movie with friends, seeing your first love, etc. Enjoy!!!!
- When it is time to come out of the pose, again be mindful to slowly release from the pose without any jerks. Coming out from an Asana (pose)is the most important thing to prevent injury to the stretched muscle.
After doing Mindful Yoga or any exercise, observe how you feel. You will be surprised…believe me! Mindfulness in everyday life is the ultimate challenge for all of us .
Mindfulness is the aware, balanced acceptance of the present experience. It isn’t more complicated than that. It is opening to or receiving the present moment, pleasant or unpleasant, just as it is, without either clinging to it or rejecting it.” – Sylvia Boorstein
“The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves, is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently”- Pema Chodron
Prabha Krishna, Chief Yoga therapist and Lifestyle consultant, Yogabharati, Bangalore