The Power of Awareness in Movement and Breath
When I think about the intricate tapestry of our daily lives, I’m often reminded of a profound truth: many of us unknowingly hold onto things. This might sound cryptic at first, but bear with me. I’ve been reflecting on this extensively lately, and the insight I’ve gleaned is too vital not to share.
More Than Just Exercise
When people ask what I do, the easiest answer is that I’m involved in the world of exercise. But the reality? It’s much deeper. I delve into the world of movement and study behavior. After all, isn’t most of our communication physically based? Every day, I’m privileged to guide numerous individuals on a journey to improve their bodies. But more than that, I observe how they move and respond.
Breath: The Unsung Hero
A recurring observation I’ve made, and one that strikes me most profoundly, is how often people are unaware they’re holding their breath. Some clients have shared their experiences of chest tightness or difficulty breathing. On analyzing their movements, say during a resistance row, it became clear that instead of engaging the right muscles, they’re inadvertently holding their breath. They tense up, scrunching their face in discomfort. This action, seemingly harmless, speaks volumes about our natural responses to challenge.
You see, movement is akin to a dialogue within your body. And to understand discomfort, you must be able to “speak” to the muscles causing it. If your breath is held captive, all your focus diverts there, making it almost impossible to discern anything else. Think about it: if you’re not breathing, where does your mind go? Directly to that pressing need. It’s a primal survival instinct, urging you to address the breath above all else.
Tuning In
Childhood games of holding our breath always ended the same way – our body forcing us to breathe, overriding our attempts to suppress it. The key takeaway here? We need to tune in and really listen. By paying attention to our physical responses, we gain an understanding of our mental and emotional state too. Is your focus always on one concern? By hyper-focusing on a singular issue, other equally important matters might be neglected.
Now, let’s bring this into the context of our sessions. When we work together, my goal is to guide you to areas you might be ignoring. Yes, it might feel natural to hold your breath or cling to discomfort, but why associate your identity with pain?
The Challenge: Pay Attention
If there’s a central message in this, it’s the call to be more present. Start observing your reactions – be it the anger during a tedious commute, the stress of work, or during a workout. Much like how we can intuitively gauge our nutrition, discerning when we’re eating healthily or indulging too much, the same holds for our reactions. When a situation stresses you out, leading to physical symptoms like headaches or breathlessness, take a moment. Identify that feeling.
And if you’re grappling with this and unsure how to navigate, don’t hesitate. Reach out to me, whether on Instagram or via my website. Let’s initiate a conversation, address these concerns, and steer you away from circumstances that no longer serve your wellbeing.
