The Physical Body Holds Grudges
Perhaps we are still suffering from residual physical and/or emotional trauma from long ago, or maybe our daily confinements to the desk and computer are finally taking their toll on us. Whatever the reason(s) may be, the physical body holds grudges.
Many students ask me about what kinds of exercises or yoga poses they could do to correct their various injuries and bodily discomforts. Of course, there's always a regimen of poses that can bring relief and help facilitate the healing process. However, in my personal experience, yoga poses alone aren't the answer.
The answer also lies in your behavioral patterns, defense mechanisms, relationship with yourself, relationships with others, seemingly benign habits, and much more. What about any of these aspects can you change or exercise in a different way that is more conducive to living and feeling well? Our physical bodies react to our emotional experiences. If we are tired, disappointed, or sad, we slouch. If we are angry, resentful, or frustrated, we clench. We panic and forget to breathe fully. The overworked mind and body closes on itself and coils down so that it cannot receive regenerative energy.
Sometimes the answer is simple. If you have one-sided neck, arm, or shoulder pain, maybe you're sleeping on the wrong side for too long. Maybe you need to improve your office ergonomics by repositioning your chair, mouse, and keyboard. How do you walk? What kind of shoes do you wear? Or maybe you've been ashamed, angered, hurt, heart-broken, betrayed, abused, all of which can physically incline you to shield your heart zone. If you are constantly shielding your heart, you might be slouching to protect it. With slouching comes an aching back, tight shoulders, a rigid spine, and a tense neck.
The above is just an array of examples that might or might not apply to you. My point is that yoga is extremely powerful, but its effectiveness is not as great if you keep abusing yourself or keep allowing others to abuse you. Yoga can teach you how to access traumatized, trapped, and neglected areas of the body by opening them up with a potent combination of breath, stretch, and muscle power. Owning up to these areas cultivates your courage and compassion, which you can take with you off the mat and into the real world. The physical exertion in yoga reawakens your joy and gratitude towards yourself and others around you. In a nutshell, you use your yoga practice as a tool to improve the quality of your life, your relationships, and your perspective overall.
Many students ask me about what kinds of exercises or yoga poses they could do to correct their various injuries and bodily discomforts. Of course, there's always a regimen of poses that can bring relief and help facilitate the healing process. However, in my personal experience, yoga poses alone aren't the answer.
The answer also lies in your behavioral patterns, defense mechanisms, relationship with yourself, relationships with others, seemingly benign habits, and much more. What about any of these aspects can you change or exercise in a different way that is more conducive to living and feeling well? Our physical bodies react to our emotional experiences. If we are tired, disappointed, or sad, we slouch. If we are angry, resentful, or frustrated, we clench. We panic and forget to breathe fully. The overworked mind and body closes on itself and coils down so that it cannot receive regenerative energy.
Sometimes the answer is simple. If you have one-sided neck, arm, or shoulder pain, maybe you're sleeping on the wrong side for too long. Maybe you need to improve your office ergonomics by repositioning your chair, mouse, and keyboard. How do you walk? What kind of shoes do you wear? Or maybe you've been ashamed, angered, hurt, heart-broken, betrayed, abused, all of which can physically incline you to shield your heart zone. If you are constantly shielding your heart, you might be slouching to protect it. With slouching comes an aching back, tight shoulders, a rigid spine, and a tense neck.
The above is just an array of examples that might or might not apply to you. My point is that yoga is extremely powerful, but its effectiveness is not as great if you keep abusing yourself or keep allowing others to abuse you. Yoga can teach you how to access traumatized, trapped, and neglected areas of the body by opening them up with a potent combination of breath, stretch, and muscle power. Owning up to these areas cultivates your courage and compassion, which you can take with you off the mat and into the real world. The physical exertion in yoga reawakens your joy and gratitude towards yourself and others around you. In a nutshell, you use your yoga practice as a tool to improve the quality of your life, your relationships, and your perspective overall.
posted by Catherine at
12:27 AM
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