Bodies love to be felt and be acknowledged, they are talking to us constantly in one way or another: hot, cold, sore, stiff, tight, heavy or empty. Can you sit with yourself for a moment in a comfortable position and see if you can tap into the innate wisdom of your body and what it may be telling you?
Breathe and allow, feel sensations. Your body is an energy system and there is so much going on at all times. Be curious and continue to breathe. Tap into and ride the energy and see where it takes you. The body has the ability to unwind itself and create harmony, you may be surprised at how healing this can be.
If on the other hand, we keep pushing our bodies and overriding the signals it provides, the body can go into chaos and disharmony. The more disgruntled and negative our thoughts become, the harder and more strangled our body may become. You may notice this with outbursts of anger, tears, fears, fatigue, and at times our bodies totally collapse as if we have broken our backs, this may be a sign that we have gone way beyond our comfort zone, when was enough was really enough.
If we run our lives by the energy of our heads, we are likely to experience this ‘pushing energy’, ever watchful of competition and generally weighing up ourselves with others, totally disconnected from our inner selves and our heart. The heart has so much wisdom and has neurons just like the brain. To live from the heart is to love and honour ourselves and our body, mind and spirit.
Can we use our body as a tool to find our heart? Yes we can!
Here are 5 simple exercises to mindfully create a deeper connection with self and to be grounded in the body.
- Each morning start the day with 5 low and slow squats, taking your time and feeling your feet on the ground
- Find a wall and go into a seated position and hold if possible for at least 1 minute, if it is painful don’t be afraid to express yourself, e.g. this hurts, I won’t give in, OUCHHHHH!, Express yourself! Don’t hold your feelings in
- Fold yourself forward and touch the ground with your fingers, bending knees if necessary, let your neck hang loosely and breathe. This position is called the Waterfall and you are letting your head energy go to the ground, making way for the heart and deeper emotions, sometimes the lower we go the safer we are. Hold for approximately 2 minutes, then come up very slowly
- Coming back up into a slight bend backwards, your head slightly leaning back with hands supporting the lower back, knees bent slightly. Hold this position for at least a minute, breathing and allowing. It can feel slightly challenging so don’t push but enjoy opening – this position is called the Bow!
- Lastly lay on the floor with your feet touching and knees dropped out to the side, your arms in the air opened wide with palms facing each other, this is the Lotus position. After a minute, bring your hands slowly together, palms touching and then place your hands on your heart chakra in the centre of your chest and connect to your heart intelligence, take your time and ENJOY!
These are regular body psychotherapy practices, which enliven, connect and energise – it is not a passive experience. Muscles may shake or tremor but do not fear, it means you have created a streaming of your life force, the end result may create relaxation, being grounded and a deeper connection to self and others.
Mmmmmm, enjoy the moment and remember: peace comes from within!
Leslee Hughes is one of the most senior members of Core Energetics in Australia. She is an experienced Body Mind Psychotherapist (Somatic Psychotherapist) who works in Sydney & the Central Coast of New South Wales NSW. Leslee is a Member of the Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia and a Clinical member of the Counsellor’s and Psychotherapists Association.
Leslee works one on one with individuals, couples, families and is able to do phone or Skype sessions.
You can ring Leslee on 0407 934 499 or email mail@lesleehughes.com.au
Check out Leslee’s website for more details: www.lesleehughes.com.au