Diving Deeper

Listening to Your Body

I teach with a BodyMind approach. Through this, you’ll learn that not only does your mind affect your body but your body also affects your mind. You’ll gain “Physical Handles” to use with life’s twists and turns. You’ll no longer be stuck trying to just “think” your way out of every encounter you face.

Often the body is thought of as the mind’s taxi. It’s great for shuttling us around and accomplishing tasks but it doesn’t have much to say or teach. Even today, many Mind Body practices still treat the two as distinct and separate entities. The Mind and The Body.

In reality, we’re at our best when we operate as one system, a “mindbody,” with mind and body so intertwined they’re one. Viewing ourselves this way gives us powerful tools for the betterment of ourselves as well as the people and world around us. One being, one person, one complete you!

For fun, and to drive the point home, I twist the phrase mindbody into BodyMind. This is meant to take us away from our “normal” thinking of our mind driving and our body simply following.

From a BodyMind stance, sometimes the mind’s driving and sometimes the body’s taking its turn creating a loop of information we can use to maintain a fuller more balanced, empowered self.

“Through this BodyMind approach you’ll learn “physical handles” to help observe, work with and even change emotional grips and the ways you interact with the world.”

Hard and Closed or Soft and Open

Once we realize our minds and bodies can work together as equals we can dive deeper and explore the ideas of power and protection.

When most people feel threatened or challenged, whether from trauma, jobs, sports, school or any of life’s challenges, they typically contract their breathing, posture, movement and attention.

We speak of “Bracing for a crash,” “Hardening for an attack,” even “Focusing in on the task at hand.” The truth is, we’re more effective when our minds and bodies are working together in a free, loose, relaxed expansive state.

This allows the body to move and react in powerful, graceful, functionally sound ways while allowing the mind to act in open, expansive inquiring fashions. With both systems working together we’re able to break free of constraining situations, whether pre-conceived or forced upon us.

From here the fun begins and we’re free to explore the present situations and moments you’re in, but now you face them from a BodyMind state, armed with a new set of tools to reach your desired goals.