Most people feel that they have some ability to follow their intuition, even less feel aware of messages from the physical body while they going about their day. Yoga teachers will stress the importance of being in the moment, but this can seem like an overwhelming task without some strategies on how to achieve this. Our bodies are an incredibly smart system that can guide us through the practice of living in the momement. We just have to listen a bit closer.
Through any smart physical practice, we begin by becoming hyper-aware of physical sensation that we can create and modify. Once that becomes second-hand, we start to listen a bit deeper, tuning in to what is our emotional status when poses are called out? Or when we are in the pose itself?
Our bodies are constantly trying to send us messages about how we could better be serving ourselves. Even in the midst of stress, family tensions, chaos, immense pressure to perform- our bodies are there softly and gently (at times, not so gently) trying to guide us in the right direction.
It seems that when people begin the practice of listening to the inherent wisdom of their bodies, they become more confident that they are making the right decisions and trusting in the world around them. This is because whem we pay attention to this wisdom, it brings you to exactly what you need.
As a yoga teacher, I sometimes play the role of a therapist. When I first started teaching privately it was at times challenging to separate myself from my clients. I would feel as if I would sometimes live into their stories (this is very tiring). It made it very difficult to stay energetic, enthusiastic and grounded in the work that I was doing. Often times it would lead to feelings of burn-out and resentment.
I knew that this was what I wanted to do, I found tremendous joy in helping others and allowing them to also help me in return. I learn the most from my students, whether they know it or not. I made it my goal to find a way that I could stay in the moment, appreciative of my clients and able to see their story clearly as separate from mine.
As I became more closely aware of the messages from my body, I realized that I needed to create some boundaries. The signals my body sent me: anxiety, stomach pains, tight shoulders, headaches. These are all defense mechanisms. When someone would say something that made me upset, I physically had sensation in my gut almost like a subtle tap. I knew my body was telling me to DO SOMETHING!
The bubble method (great if you work with people often):
Visualization helps me but there are other methods you may find work better for you. To start, I would create a transparent sparkly bubble around myself, it keeps me grounded but I can allow things out of my bubble when I choose too, I can also choose what I let in. The bubble is a great reminder for me, that not everything that was being told had to be accepted as my reality. It allowed me to differentiate what was mine, and what was theirs, and where I could help out- allowing some energy out of my bubble.
Pose for you: Halasana (Plow pose)
The Grounding Method (for people who have experienced a traumatic event or who tend to feel scattered and flustered):
When working with people who have traumatic experiences, it can be difficult to help them find grounding. They often will have trouble remaining in the present moment because energetically they are fleeing for safety. These people will claim to feel very flighty, anxious and unsure. If you feel that you are beginnning to leave your body energetically, create a safe space. Excuse yourself and leave the room if you must, close your eyes and take 5 deep breaths in and out through your nose, exaggerate them as much as possible. Take a quick body scan, run up and down your body in your minds eye and feel what is happening. Touching an object near you might help you to feel grounded (other things that work are lying belly down on the floor or in the fetal position). Tell yourself you are safe, you are wise, you are protected. Bring yourself right back in to your body feeling the confidence that allows you to protect yourself and defend yourself when needed. Find a mantra with your breath inhaling: be, exhaling: present.
Pose for you: Balasana (Child's pose)
Self- induced relaxation (for those who feel they are not heard- often threatend or angry):
When people feel that they are not being heard it can manifest in one of two ways: they shell up and don't share, or they lash out and become angry. Believe it or not this method could work for both of those people.
Start by focusing in, when you are speaking with someone and they cut you off, or you feel like you are not being heard (often linked to feelings of being disrespected), what happens in your body? Reactive people will experience feelings of rage, heat starts to build in the core, blood pressure starts to rise as the heart beats faster, feelings of fight start to enter the body as adrenaline levels heighten. On the other end of the spectrum you might be come quiet, introspective, slightly depressed. You physically may feel a shrinking happening, a rounding of the shoulders and a hunching in. When these feelings start to arise, create a safe space. Stop your conversation- decide here if it is a conversation that you wish to still remain a part of, or if it is not beneficial for you, don't be afraid to walk away. Not everyone will always be worthy of your thoughts.
If you decide the conversation is important and you want to be a part of it, recognize the ego versus your truth. The words that roll off the tongue quickly are probably not your own. Separate yourself from this, and focus on the desired outcome. Are you both in this together? Where do you want to land after this conversation. Realize that whatever words are coming out of the other persons mouth are not to be taken personally, they are a reflection of how they are being triggered inside, the same as you feel in that moment. We all have parts of our bodies and psyches that feel vulnerable. We will either avoid these areas by vacating the body and hiding, or by locking them down in muscle tension which leads to explosive behavior when you reach capacity. We need to reconnect to these parts and integrate them back into the cycle of the whole. Suzanne Scurlock-Durana calls this "healing the internal resistance to life".
Pose for you: Ustrasana (Camel's Pose- practice allowing the head to drop back and throat to open) Move slowly and deliberately here.
Nourish your soul (for all ya'll):
Our bodies tell us when we are thirsty, when we are hungry, when we are tired, when we need to burn off stress. Delve a little deeper, and your soul will tell you when you need to take a walk in nature, when you need alone time, when you need to travel and explore and what you need to do in pressing situations.
Our job is to beg the question, what do I really need right now? It might not be what your ego thinks or even wants, but it is what will allow you to feel fully present. By setting an intention to take in only what is nourishing to the whole you create an entirely new sense of being grounded and satisfied in the skin you are in.
Pose for everyone: Savasana (even if it isn't post practice, take time for supine or seated relaxation, allowing mind to flow freely and easily)
"When you're really in your body, you're more present for everything in life. You're grounded and connected to healthy resources that fill you. By staying connected to your body's wisdom you're able to notice when something drains your energy. When it does, just take a moment to ground and refill. Full body presence is about this. About letting the flow of life go through you. As we learn how to do this we will create a more loving and respectful world... Making decisions that are supported and guided by your body's wisdom is synergistic and effective because you plug into your deep integrity and the inherent knowledge of the universe"- Suzanne Scurlock-Durana
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