15/06/2025
I’ve been loving intertwining the philosophy of the ‘Yamas’ - the first of Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga - into our practice over the last couple of weeks, and continuing to do so for a few more.
So far we’ve looked at Ahimsa and Satya, non violence and truthfulness, and next week we move onto Asteya - non-stealing. We’ve talked about how to take these teachings off the mat, but within our class practice we’ve mainly focused on how to apply these to ourselves. Being kind to ourselves with our thoughts and our actions, being honest with the most appropriate intention for our practice in each moment, and next week how not to steal, or deplete, our own energy.
All of these asking us to really listen in to ourselves and take guidance from within.
I’m a huge believer in this. I think we live in a world that is constantly asking for more, more, more! So in many areas we’re pushing ourselves to the edge and if we don’t stop and listen to ourselves we might just push ourselves over that edge.
Listening in is a way to be more in tune with yourself and the more you take time to acknowledge what’s going on, the more in tune you will become. I believe that if we take enough notice, our body will guide us to what it needs.
So let’s talk about ‘listening to your body’.
To me these words are important through every single part of my day. Checking in and listening to what feels good and what doesn’t.
There are times that we need to give in to the call to rest. To not push through because it’ll just make us feel worse and pushed beyond our limits.
However ‘listening to your body’ is about REALLY listening. Knowing that sometimes, and possibly more often than you think, it’s about so much more than just slowing down. It’s taking note of the things that make you feel good mentally and physically, that make you feel alive, that make you thrive!
There are so many ways that we can respond when we take time to listen to our body. Yes it might well be taking a bubble bath or enjoying that piece of chocolate cake in front of a Netflix series! But sometimes it can be something more or even the opposite of that, and I’ll be sharing that in my next post! ✨