The body mind connection - a bit buzzy - but there's actually a lot of science behind it.
There's a wonderful book that nicely explains the neuroscience behind it but for now I'll share my personal experience with it.
When I was in my dieting days, I was so far removed from my body and mind. All the rules meant I relied on decision making coming from the external. Eat this, not that. Exercise this way, not that way.
The longer I was in diet culture, the further I drifted from myself. All my agency gone & I wasn't even aware. I was completely reliant on being told what to do and when.
The first time my yoga teacher offered me a choice in class I had this really perplexed look on my face. And I just didn't even know how to answer. I completely froze. Surely I shouldbe doing it the 'right' way I thought and I certainly don't know what the 'right' way is. I was so disconnected from my body that I just put up with discomfort without even questioning it - how crazy, right!? Maybe you can relate?
This was the first of many penny dropping moments.
The more invitations I was given in my yoga class, the more these sparks ignited and connected in my brain. I was beginning to listen to my body AND actually respond. What was even more astounding was the impact it was having in my personal life. I was beginning to experience yoga off the mat.
My thoughts became softer. My self talk was turning from negative to positive. I began to become compassionate with myself. I had more stress tolerance, more happiness, less worry, less anxiety.
I began to hear my body 'in real time' and respond as it needed. Wow. What a gift. A skill that I cultivated over many years, which was absolutely worth doing.
It wasn't all smooth sailing though. Feeling into my body also opened up movement of stagnant energy. This brought sadness, anger, regret, heartache amongst others. Thoughts, feelings and emotions I had ignored, I was now in a space to recognise them. It was messy work but absolutely worth doing.
Tuning into the body and mind is still a practice I keep in my life, almost daily. I joke sometiems that I hate having so much awareness, but it is a much more vibrant place to be than lost to my own self.
If you enjoy science and how stuff work, you might enjoy the book. But as always, have your own experience and see what it is like for you.
Le Grá,
Laura.
PS The book is: Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom. By Rick Hanson PH.D.