Posts tagged listen

The body speaks.

Your body speaks to you, if you actually stop to listen.  Like most people’s communication styles, we tend to be more about expression than listening, and it is the same in our relationship with our bodies.  We want to go, do, indulge, and we will push our bodies to keep up with our demands.  The human body is amazing and will endure so much, until it simply demands a change. These demands are usually in the form of injury or illness.  If we stopped to listen to our bodies sooner, we could avoid many of these negative responses. 

My yoga practice has taught me to listen to my body.  I can not force my body to do poses before it’s ready, or I risk injury.  I have learned an amazing amount about the most subtle tendencies of my various muscles and how to account for them in poses.  I’m not certain why my right shoulder is weaker and my right hip tighter, but my practice and its progression benefits greatly by this awareness. 

Ayurveda, yoga’s “science of life”, also aided my conversation with my body.  I now know what I need to give my body for it to be more comfortable and balanced.  Some days I may ignore these needs, but after a few days of neglect, I know I need to start listening or risk moodiness, sleepless nights or painful indigestion. 

So much about yoga is cultivating a relationship with ourselves.  All relationships need open communication.  So be a good friend, and make sure to listen when your body speaks.