What does it mean to be connected to your body, to be able to listen to it at a visceral level and how does that happen? In my experience feeling into your body is a matter of intention. When I awaken I set the stage for my day by awakening my body through movement. Although I have done years of yoga and still do, most mornings I begin my day by going for a long walk in the mountains or on the streets of my neighborhood. I gather my two small dogs on leashes or without if we are hiking in the hills and I set out with an awareness of how I feel by connecting to my breath. First of all I ask myself am I breathing? Am I taking oxygen into my lungs and letting it move into my muscles tendons and cells? I do this by visualizing the process. In my minds eye I see air as light that is making a slow journey through me to light up all of me: neurons to ligaments to organs. I do not say this as some woo woo new age garbage, I say it because visualizing light inside the body is a powerful intention and way to ignite your body into a better consciousness of health and a stronger metabolism. I put all my focus on what I am doing, my stride arms swinging, listening to my breath, the sounds of an awakening neighborhood or the sounds of bushes rattled by small rodents running from predators or searching for food. Birds are always your signals that nature is alive. Their
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screeches and calls to one another are a reminder that wildlife is radar into the heart of humanity. Without it we can’t feel ourselves. It is a canvas for us to feel how we are connected to the earth. I am as silent as I can be tuning into the intricate world around me inside of me and beyond me. I walk tall, (okay I am tall but not everyone who is tall looks happy about it); I walk with the intention that I am going somewhere. I look up, not down at the ground and I pay attention to whether or not my ankles are crashing inwards as I step. It reveals a lack of self-esteem that I have struggled with in the past, so I am aware of it and my need for more acceptance of myself. I hold my body tall, light, eyes ahead and feet solidly planting themselves in rhythm with my breath. This is how I wake up. This is how I literally walk into my day. I consciously have the intention that my walk guides me into my daily routines or unexpected surprises and demands of work with the awareness of not only my body but every aspect of me. I feel the gratitude of the extremely wonderful life I have that is always rich with new possibility. It feels that my walking has the ability to stretch time and give me more of myself. This is called self-love. I highly recommend that you walk into your life with gratitude and awareness of who you are through the simplicity of moving in your body.
09.11.08 @ 10:54 am
I am a 42 year old woman who has been struggeling with weight issues all my life.Within the last 2 years, I left an abusive relationship (after 6 1/2yrs.) and fell in love with a wonderful kind loving man whom I now call my husband.The point of this letter is that, eight weeks ago I had a total hystercotomy..Just when I was starting to lose the weight, this happens,and also lost my twin grandaughters.How do you suggest I can get back into walking if that’s all I’m allowed to do at this time? I am pretty spiritual and try to journal on a daily basis any suggestions will be depply appreicated.
Thank you for your time.
42& miserable at my body
Carol, Medford, NJ
09.24.08 @ 1:20 pm
Carol,
I find it interesting that your questions should follow Mariel Hemingway’s article about walking. When I was dealing with depression and low energy following 9/11, loss of a job, and a near fatal car accident all in the same month; my pastor suggested that I go for prayer walks! It was an amazing turnaround..started out for only 15 minutes of slow walking, but I found that as I was talking to God (praying)I would feel energized..sometimes I felt myself almost skipping and laughting, I was feeling so much better. Since you say you are spiritual, I’ll bet your connection with God is already there, walk and talk with Him. He can be your best friend and help you find answers you didn’t even know existed!
Bless you,
Sue T
Washoe Valley, NV
10.03.08 @ 9:43 am
Carol,
Sue has it right. I, too, had a year that held had so much sadness. I just wanted to run, instead I took off walking and I prayed to God….I would laugh, cry, and shout in anger, but my little feet kept on going and the miles would breeze by. I lost weight, built my body & mind up and my relationship with the Lord grew. It’s the best way to get threw the hard times. Good luck.
10.24.08 @ 5:33 am
Hi Carol, Sandy and Sue,
I have never blogged before but read all of your notes and felt compelled to do so. I too have struggled with my weight since third grade. I am now 45. I have been looking for some inspiration lately and especially a support system with no success. Would like to try Mariel’s method. I have prayed while walking but usually get distracted by something on the walk. I am going to try Mariel’s method along with the prayer and see what happens. I would love to keep in touch with someone who is also trying to focus on becoming a more healthy person, emotionally, spiiritually and physically. How would I go about doing that on this site. Hope you can help.
Melanie in PA.
10.25.08 @ 11:07 pm
Melanie, Walking and watching your portions will help. I have an MP3 player with spiritual music as well as some Andre Bocelli on it. That combined with looking at the birds (I live in Florida) and nature all around, the grass seems to look greener and by the time I’m done, I feel so much better. I walk 6 days a week for 40 mins and I’ve dropped 20 lbs in 5 months. try it-
10.31.08 @ 7:37 pm
Hi Ladies! After reading all of your comments I must tell you how much each one of you have inspired me! I am 43 with a body I dislike greatly. I used to be at a good weight until I ended up with an underactive thyroid in my 30’s. Then the weight came on like crazy and I was just too sick to really do anything about it. Now I feel it’s time. I know it’s all up to me. I have no excuses. For the past while I told myself that I just have no time. I’m a homeschooling mom and yes, I am busy. But I think we women also put ourselves so low on the totem pole as we take care of everyone else, and we don’t allow ourselves the time to do things we need to do to be healthy and happy. Then we wake up one morning and see that we’ve let ourselves go. That’s certainly enough to make one feel quite miserable. I know…I’m there right now. I am a follower of Jesus as well and think that the whole idea of prayer walks is a really great idea and definitely what I need to be doing. I live in the north however, and really dread walking in the winter with the snow and ice on the ground …but I think I’ll just have to get over it and persevere with what I know I need to do. Funny how you KNOW you’ll feel better if you do it, but it’s soooo easy to put it off. Must stop doing that!! Thanks again all of you for your words of wisdom!!
11.03.08 @ 9:39 pm
Hi ladies,
I like some of you have struggled with weight problems most of my life. I would lose the weight with heavy aerobics and diet, but would binge often. I one day decided that God gave me a healthy body and it needs healdy food to thrive. I have changed the way I feel about food I treat my self to what ever I am craving on the weekends and on weekdays I eat 5 small healthy meals/snacks. But the most important thing I did was I started walking 5 days a week for 40 mins.I also do light weights for my upperbody and have lost 20 pounds. We will all go thru stuff/trials but take it to the Lord in prayer and do not punish yourself with emotional eating. Remember you are wonderfully made by God, you are special there is only one of you :o)