Competitive and endurance sports and classes encourage us to override that internal voice that says, “Slow down, breathe.” Sometimes that voice can be a key to a breakthrough or it can be a direct path to injury. Your time on the mat can be like learning a new language, your body’s language. Giving you the opportunity to tune in and listen, to make mistakes and correct them with love and compassion. Yoga allows us to look inwards and hear that voice inside us, encouraging us to perhaps, “go a little further” in a Forward Fold or maybe the voice is saying, “not today, take it easy”, when you try kicking up to a headstand or balance in Warrior 3.
Here are 3 simple ways to listen to the body during your next yoga practice:
Ask Yourself Questions
Engage in your inner dialogue, turn it up. Ask yourself before you even step on the mat, what kind of practice does your body and mind need right now? How tired are you? How do you want to feel after the practice? Really listen and determine how you’ll respond to the things your body has told you. When you take all of those factors into account, you are better able to recognise the difference between the positive, true need, like “Yes I can and I want to go one more round” and between the negative, constricted voice, “I should do another round because x,y,z..”. Just remember that, listening to the body and making sure you are answering those questions as honestly as you can, will take time. It takes practice, just like with the physical side of yoga.
Move Mindfully with Your Breath
It doesn’t matter what type of yoga you’re doing, whether it’s a vinyasa flow or yin yoga, moving mindfully with your breath can help you reconnect with your body and your inner voice. Connect to your breath right before the practice, breathe in and breathe out. Bring that awareness to your breath, notice where in the body you are breathing into. Notice how it feels to breathe into your belly, your chest, your whole body. Observe what thoughts are passing by and what emotions are popping up, before you even begin your practice. When we create this peace and mindfulness state by using our breath, by turning our attention inwards, it can provide us with the tools to be able to listen to the body better during the practise. With every move you make, listen and observe how your body feels, for example, notice how it feels to ground through your feet in Warrior 2 or how it feels to have your hands and forehead down on the mat in Child’ Pose. Notice where your breath is, notice your thoughts and emotions. When we begin the journey of noticing, the listening part becomes a little easier each time.
Respect and Be Kind To Your Body On and Off the Mat
The body-consciousness and self-awareness taught in yoga can be applicable on and off the mat. Talk kindly to yourself and if negative talk creeps in, ask yourself why and how does it serve you? Listen to your gut in every situation in your life and throughout your day. Eat when you’re hungry, ask your body what it craves to eat and if it’s a salad great, if it’s a bar of chocolate then great! Be respectful of your body’s needs, whether that’s on the mat when you’re flowing through asanas or whether that’s saying no to that House Party or FaceTime with your friends and family. As soon as you wake up, LISTEN. What is your body telling you? Do you need that extra 30 mins in bed or are you ready to get on your mat and move your body? Maybe you just need a meditation that day. Allow yourself this time to rest, reconnect and restore.
ABOUT ALLIE
I am a fully qualified Yoga, Pilates, Meditation, Mindfulness Teacher and Life Coach. Currently studying The Trauma Conscious Yoga Method to further increase my knowledge around trauma and how yoga can help us heal. I am focused on helping women to heal from the inside out; heal their trauma, their relationship with their body, mind and soul. I am deeply invested, passionate and dedicated to helping women love themselves again. Guiding them to quiet the mind and free their body! Empowering them to access the confidence, worthiness and self-love that they so deserve! Every class I teach, whether that is yoga, pilates or meditation, centres around particular tools for times of stress or anxiety; tools to raise their self-love, appreciation and worthiness. I am creating a safe space, particularly for trauma survivors to reconnect with their bodies and to help them find their freedom. I want women to become their own best friends and know that they can heal from trauma and mental health issues through, movement, breath, self-love and body positivity. “Feel Free to Be You”
