Yoga and body time

Yoga is amazing. All those who have experienced the bliss that it can bring would probably agree. But I have to say it's not only yoga - any exercise that works the body and mind at the same time can help you achieve the blissful feeling. At the same time even practising asanas can bring you nothing more than stretched muscles if you don't engage your whole being into in as well as your mind and breath.

Yoga teaches us to watch and feel our body. And I found this very beneficial in daily life - getting attuned to  your body, to the pains, to the processes, to what's happening inside. Well - ask yourself a question - when was the last time you did something for your own body (and I don't mean brushing your teeth or washing your face in the morning - that's more for  your vanity mind - eee maybe even for the benefit of all those around you) - I mean really only for the benefit of  your own body. That obviously requires you to know what is good and what is beneficial for your body isn't it?

If you would like to really know your body, you need to become sensitive to it's calls. I do agree it's not always easy, because our mind likes chatting to us all day long and doesn't like anybody and anything to disturb it - yet if we want to create unity of body, mind and spirit - we need to be able to listen to them all.

So try this simple exercise - next time you practise yoga at home - instead of your regular practise choose only one asana and hold this one posture for the whole time. You will be amazed what your body has to say, although it might be at first only cries for help and of pain. Carry on through it and you will get yourself on the right way to understand and feel your body in everyday activity. And let me know how it went.

PS> obviously basic precautions apply, try to choose a pose that is not one sided at first (with muscles working more or only on one side of the body - creating balance and unity is about using your whole body).