My body speaks to me, if I will only listen. It tells me when I need to rest and when it is time to eat, it even tells me when my diet needs improvement. It speaks to me about my stress levels, sometimes loudly! In spite of the way I abuse and neglect my human form, it is continually communicating with me.

Have you ever come down with a cold or flu, and realized that you have been demanding too much of yourself? If you had been listening to the signals, you could have possibly  prevented the illness. You were probably feeling stressed, tired, overworked.  I’ve noticed that I get a sore throat if I get angry and “yell”. Coincidence? Probably not. Several years ago, I developed a hand injury while playing the violin because I ignored the early warning signals; I chose to play through the tingling, pain, and numbness in my fingers and arm. The injury ended my violin career, albeit amateur,  and I promised myself that I would never ignore my body again.

If I feel pain or discomfort in any part of my body, I begin an analysis of what it is trying to say to me. If my skin is dryer than usual, I add healthy oils to my diet. If my knee is hurting, I buy new walking shoes and pay close attention to the surfaces I’m walking on. If my neck aches, I check my posture and sleep on my neck roll. If my stomach is upset, I’ve learned to recognize that I’m worrying about something. Sometimes its something I’m not even aware of. That’s when I spend some time in solitude, sorting through my emotions and thought patterns. Eventually, the source of the anxiety will rise to the surface. It seems that once it sees daylight, it begins to diminish.

So practically speaking, how do we learn the language our bodies are speaking? Any exercise or activity that grounds us, that centers us, will help us connect with our physical bodies. Massage therapy is one of the best ways to bring about awareness. The physical experience of receiving a healing touch from another person connects us to our bodies. The relaxed state that a massage delivers also helps us “hear” our body signals more clearly. Yoga and meditation have similar affects. Yoga is defined as “the yoking of the mind and the body” and can profoundly increase body awareness.

Another technique for connecting mind and body is the “body gratitude” exercise. It goes like this; Get in a comfortable position and begin at one end of your body, mentally giving thanks for each body part and the positive role it plays in your daily life. Move through the entire body, giving special praise to those parts that don’t always work correctly. For instance, if you are experiencing shoulder pain, give thanks for the times that the shoulder is free of pain. Recognize how much support you receive from the shoulders and all the burdens they carry, both physical and emotional. Focus on what works in your body. Our bodies are nothing short of a miracle! Recognize it, trust it and respect it. Learn to be quiet and listen. Draw upon the wisdom of your body; It will tell you everything it needs to maintain health and balance.