How connected are you to your body?

We spend so much time doing, being busy and expect our bodies to make it all happen. But how well do you really know your body?

As a yoga teacher, I’m avidly interested in the body and our relationship with it. I’ve come to appreciate it so much as the vehicle for life. As I grow older, my respect for the body grows. And as I go through the experience of being on the planet for well over 50 years with this body, I recognize that as I age, I have the opportunity to let go of attachment again and again, because things aren’t as they used to be. And that’s ok with me. I feel the invitation to shift from focus on the physical to the being within. While making that shift is often a bumpy ride, it is incredibly satisfying, especially the more I learn to be with and understand my body.

Recently I watched a video from Scientific American* on neuroplasticity, which I found very exciting. It outlined how we build new neurons in our brain, even as adults. Yay! Our brains have about 86 billion neurons, with more throughout the body. When we perceive the world using our senses in any way, thousands of sensory neurons send signals to the spinal cord and brain; other neurons allow us to make sense of these sensations, and thus have life experiences.

It is the new experiences that can rewire our brains, creating new neurons. This is neuroplasticity. It is a use it or lose it scenario. In the video, they gave this example; if you never left your home again, you would lose the ability to navigate.

I believe the body is also susceptible to use it or lose it. But not only need we work our bodies, we need to be aware and connected to all parts. When we aren’t, those we ignore may become less functioning and go dark, or stop communicating with us. It can be these times that we discover, perhaps to our sadness and disappointment, that not only does this part of my body not work, but is now sick or experiencing disease, and I didn’t even notice.

I do not believe that we create illness or disease. I do however believe that you can set up an environment for healthy living so you can live your life to the fullest, given your body, your situation. And I believe that being in intimate relationship with your body is an important part of crafting that healthy environment.

We have a tendency in our Western culture not to listen to our bodies, but instead to see them as something that should be working for us. Another tendency we have is to get mad and judgmental toward the body, and often assume the worst; whatever unpleasant condition I am experiencing will be pervasive and persistant. Then we take it personally. What the hell is wrong with me and why is my body failing me? When we bring this kind of emotion and judgement to the body, we add stress; the body tightens, armors up and produces cortisol which blocks the immune system and exacerbates the situation.

And all along, the body is simply trying to talk to us. Pain is its way of alerting us to something that needs our attention. When we experience pain or discomfort, we are quick to mask the pain with painkillers, alcohol or drugs. Using painkillers strategically is wise; listening to the body to learn from the pain before trying to make it go away is very wise.

Whatever happens within the body, we have a choice. We can continue to react with anger and judgement, or we can practice learning instead to respond with kindness, compassion and curiosity. We can be willing to listen and learn. There is wisdom here, of which the sages have long told.

Perhaps more importantly, we can listen and connect to the body now, not waiting for pain or disease. We can bring curiosity and compassion to it, as it is today. We can find gratitude for this amazing vessel that carries our hearts and souls through life.

Our bodies will grow old and deteriorate, experience illness, accidents, and disease. The question is, how will you be with all that? And might you find a way to appreciate your body in the meantime?

Being connected to the body, grounded in it, is mindfulness. Mindfulness is feeling into this moment, experiencing and savoring exactly what is around us, as a child might delight in following a butterfly, smelling a meadow, rolling down a hill. The body is always available to bring us into this present moment.

The designers** knew what they were doing when they created these amazing bodies with hearts and souls and physicality to experience this life. They designed us not only to experience great joy but also to access our deep perceptive wisdom in times of difficulty. We can stand strong, resilient and ready for whatever life brings.

The power of this connection in my life is why I teach yoga and mindfulness. It is extremely effective for me, and I love to share what I have learned. It is why my yoga classes include feeling the fingers and toes and faces and all the rest of it. It is why I often do body scans. Aligning kindly with my body brings joy, peace and connection to my inner wisdom and into my life. Maybe it can for your life too.

Namaste. You rock. So does your body.

Hey thank you for reading my newsletter, sharing it, and subscribing. Thanks especially to those who choose to value what I do with a paid subscription.

Please be in touch with me with your thoughts. It’s always nice to know that I’ve connected with you. 🙏🏼

*Scientific American Video on Neurons

**Thanks to my anatomy teacher Arturo Peal for teaching me the term designers to connect to whatever your beliefs about how the body came to be are.

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