Yoga and The Intelligence of The Body
Posted on Fri, May 21, 2010 @ 12:16 PM
Guest post by Jenny Clevidence:
Using the body's intelligence to help us understand our natural tendencies and how those translate into our way of leading and living.
What do our bodies tell us? Are we listening? Through movement of the body we can begin to listen, to calm our minds a little, and take notice. After years of self-development workshops, assessments, and being told that I need to be more this or less that, I felt lost. I began to not only look at the mind to create change, but to look at the body. When we can tap into the intelligence of the body and mind, we can develop a true awareness and ability to change.
Notice how in difficult situations or at times of happiness, there are certain sensations in the body. Maybe tension, sweaty palms, or a sense of rushing energy, or lightness occurs. This is the start of tapping into the intelligence of the body and something that can be explored in various forms of bodywork.
One way to begin exploring is through Yoga, it is a wonderful way to check in with what happens in our bodies when we are faced with certain situations on our mats. For example, when we begin to practice inversions like handstands, we may have a fear associated with going upside down. For some it is centered on the question, "can I trust my body to support me?" If we take this reflection off the mat and into life, we can see how this fear also comes up in our day to day, as trusting ourselves. How many times have we questioned our abilities, and then stopped before even trying?
On our mats we can begin to cultivate trust in ourselves by playing with inversions in supported ways. As we begin to trust our bodies and ourselves, this same trust is reflected off the mat. Coming in contact with the sensations, and reactions that occur in the body and mind provide us with a path to then cultivate change.
In June at Yoga & Leadership, we will explore this and other concepts as we engage in a challenging yoga practice (because life is challenging!) and conversation.
"Wherever you go, there you are...on and off your mat"
Jenny Clevidence
Integral Coach & Yoga Instructor
ro:ren collective
jenny@rorencollective.com