I’ve wanted to write this particular blog for a while. Mind-body practices like yoga, qigong, the Feldenkrais method, and meditation have impacted my life in dramatic and ineffable ways.
At the same time, I’ve found it hard to speak about the magic of mind-body modalities without sounding totally cheesy and abstract. And much of what I have learned from these practices cannot easily be translated into words. Why write about something inexpressible?
In light of these challenges, I’ll do my best to keep things short and sweet. In this week’s newsletter, you’ll learn the features of all mind-body practices, hear a (tiny!) bit about why I have my own personal mind-body practice, and gain some tips on how to begin your own practice.
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What is a mind-body practice?
Most people can identify at least a few mind-body modalities (like yoga, meditation, or martial arts). Examples of mind-body practices are generally easy to recognize. But what makes these practices different from other forms of movement (like lifting weights or playing sports)?
What makes mind-body practices unique is the emphasis on one’s conscious inhabitation of the body. In other words, a mind-body practice is a practice which requires your brain and your body to deliberately connect. A primary concern of all mind-body practices is to bring your mind and body to the exact same place: right here and now.
When you practice qigong, for example, you use your mind to direct qi around your body. When you meditate, you might consciously observe how your breath moves in and out of your body.
No matter what you call it, if your mind and body are connected and communicating right here and now, you are in the midst of a mind-body practice.
Why I have a mind-body practice
For me, the deliberate union of the mind and body in the present moment has profound effects. It is both restorative and invigorating. It facilitates physical and mental recovery from training, traveling, and everyday life. Although it can sometimes feel like an escape from the world, it more accurately grants impeccable perspective from & processing of the world.
Most of my moments of insight (personally and professionally!) happen on the mat. When I spend time inhabiting my body, I discover things about myself that I had no conscious awareness of. When I enter my body, incredible new things come to light.
How to begin your own mind-body practice
Whether you are interested in establishing a mind-body practice for the tangible, concrete gains (like improved flexibility, mental health, and recovery) or the more abstract benefits (like enhanced self-awareness and equanimity), there’s a few things you can do to make the most of it:
1. Be consistent.
If I had to choose the most important feature of a successful mind-body practice, I’d choose consistency. The more it feels like a habit (and less like a chore or “to-do list” item), the more profound the benefits will be. You don’t need to practice every day to be consistent (though there may be periods of time where you do). Instead, simply maintain an intent to practice throughout your lifetime. This is consistency.
Personally, frequency and duration of my mind-body practice ebbs and flows with the tides of life, and I do not worry about “falling off” or “quitting”. I know that even after time away, I can simply pick up where I left off. It’s always reassuring to know that neither my mind nor body have left me during these breaks from practice.
2. Be curious.
There is no “best” or “right” way to a mind-body practice when you move with curiosity and open-mindedness. There are endless tiny secrets about you which are held inside your body –find a practice that enlightens you to them.
During your mind-body practice, take yourself to long-forgotten places with the spirit of an explorer. Revisit familiar places with a resolve to discover something new. Do lots of wondering. Always move curiously.
3. Practice with self-love and acceptance.
Approach your mind-body practice with fascination and an open heart. If you are consistent and curious in your practice, you’ll likely learn more than a few uncomfortable things about yourself. If you want to have a successful mind-body practice, you must accept these things and love yourself anyway.
Know that not everything you discover will feel good and easy to understand. Acknowledge and appreciate the things you come to know about yourself. Avoid value judgements when possible – things are not good or bad; they just are.
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It takes both patience and openness to find the mind-body practice that works best for you. If you are consistent, curious, and accepting of what you discover, perhaps you’ll find yourself meta musing about these modalities, too.
Ps. Wondering how to best incorporate mind-body modalities into your training? Let’s chat! Sign up for a free consultation here.
