Thoughts can be misleading and disturbing and confusing, so today I want to promote mindfulness and self love, through physical activity. I would like to share with you today a practice I do with my retreat clients, called BODY FOCUS.It is a body awareness and mindfulness activity that focusses on your posture.
Here are seven reasons why this posture correcting practice is so important.
BODY FOCUS:
- Makes you look self-confident
- Contributes to a healthy image
- Prevent back pain and postural strain
- Reduces muscle fatigue
- Improves breathing and circulation
- Reduces the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces
- Helps prevent arthritis and degenerative diseases
BODY FOCUS – How to do it
Find a walking journey that you take most days. Like a walk to work, the car, to school, etc.
The longer the better.
As you walk, focus on your body. Not your thoughts.
Imagine there is a string coming out of the top of your head at the crown. Imagine this string is being pulled upward, automatically straightening out your head and neck.
Shoulders should be back and down.
Breathe and keep walking. Focus on your posture.
Imagine another string.
It starts at the inside of your belly button and extends straight through your torso coming out at your lower back, imagine the end being pulled taut, tilting your pelvis forward slightly and tightening your core.
Breathe and keep walking. Focus on your posture.
When you walk feel your legs strong, your knees soft and as your feet touch the ground, focus on their even connection with the earth. Feel the earth under your feet, firmly, evenly. Breathe.
As you walk try to keep awareness on all of these areas.
Repeat only. …… head, neck, shoulders, core, legs, feet…………. in your head, if you need help with focusing…. head, neck, shoulders, core, legs, feet……say each word in rhythm with your feet touching the ground.
Make your body straight. Beautiful, tall and grounded. Breathe
If your mind wanders, start again at the top.
Pull the crown string, shoulders; back and down, pull the core string, feel your legs and ground with your feet.
Notice how good you feel. Notice the strength in your body. Your own self love.
If your mind wanders again, always bring your focus back to the body and keep walking.
After practicing this many times, it can become habit.
You start to use body focus when you are out and about.
Just by changing the posture of our body, we can change the way we feel about our day and ourselves
We can change the way people perceive us.
By standing tall and aware, we show confidence and self love. Being slouched and bent over makes us look like we are defeated, easily dominated and beaten by life.
If you are interested in practicing Body Focus sessions Click this link.
Fake it til you make it!!
Crossing Bridges is now holding Body Focus walks in the forest twice a month. More information is here.
First of all I want to say superb blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to
ask if you do not mind. I was interested to know
how you center yourself and clear your mind prior
to writing. I have had a tough time clearing my thoughts
in getting my ideas out there. I do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the
first 10 to 15 minutes are usually wasted just trying to figure out how to begin. Any recommendations or hints?
Cheers!
HI Patrick,
I normally wait until I feel inspired to write something that resonates with me. Then the first 10-15 minutes I can’t type fast enough. My thoughts are quicker than my fingers!
Instead of wasting the first 10-15 minutes wondering in front of the PC, go sit somewhere quiet with a cup of tea and think about how and why you are inspired to write about that thing.What purpose does it have and then think about some opening lines. When you are ready go back to work. Does that help?