How I gained Body Awareness

I used to be a gymnast and I have always been quite active but only when I started practicing yoga, I gained body awareness that I never had before. Some people might have body awareness more naturally than others, but either way as you begin to practice yoga you begin to get to know yourself.

Yoga practice allows you to connect, listen and feel your self, body and mind, clearer.

Many muscles in the body are used so regularly and repetitively that people stop being conscious of using them. This is the first step of becoming out of touch with your own body. The older we get, the less in touch with our bodies we’re likely to become. Yoga is a powerful way to help people trust and know their bodies again, so it’s a terrific tool for improving proprioception.

Yoga allows stillness and observation of your body and breath. Are there places where you could relax a bit? Other places that could use more energy?

Often our bodies reveal much more about our mental and emotional well-being and the environment we are living in than we might suspect. It is a matter of "tuning in", learning how to read what the body is trying to communicate to us and then to make a healthy decision from there.

There are enormous benefits gaining a Body Awareness. Here's some things that I have personally experienced.

💖 Body Awareness is intense and empowering - because yoga allows me to become more aware of how I move, balance, breathe, and feel within my body, it helps me to experience embodied presence. When I am more present in my body I feel things more deeply. The emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations that come up during yoga practice can be difficult at times, but there is also a sense of aliveness as the powerful energy that flows through me is loosened and recognised.

💖 From an exercise stand point body awareness will allow you to get more out of the exercise you do. Your form will be better because you will be able to feel when that form is off. Over time you'll be better able to modify your exercise to match your needs on any particular day.

💖 From a diet stand point body awareness will allow you to better know when you've had enough to eat. You'll feel how certain foods fuel your hunger while others satisfy it.

💖 By feeling bodily sensations, making subtle adjustments in position to explore a pose, and being willing to stop at a place that feels right - yoga affirms and honours self-awareness.

As you go through your day, stop and take time to notice your body sensations regularly. Think about the ways that being aware of your body and the messages it sends you could make positive changes in your life. And I suggest you go to the yoga class near you and experience all the amazing benefits for yourself :)

I am thinking of starting to post some yoga videos here, let me know if you would like to join me for a class. Ilze xox