Practicing Mindful Movement
I blame you, mysterious, elusive internet reader, for falling off my step and rolling my ankle during step class* the other day (*I am a child of the 80’s after all). I was thinking about this blog post, stuck in my head and out of my body, right onto a pitiful pile on the floor. Things like this have been happening a lot lately. Some of it is my fault and other times it's the world challenging my body (also known as my giant, growing children who think they’re still toddler sized).
It’s upsetting when we injure ourselves. The thoughts I initially had were extremely cruel. If I was in better shape, this wouldn’t have happened. This is embarrassing. Everyone thinks I’m stupid and weak. I can never do anything right. I’m a failure.
Luckily, that train of thought shifted once I took a moment to cry in the bathroom. Soon I was able to bring my thoughts back to a place of self-compassion. Here’s how it sounded: It’s okay, Shawna. Things like this just happen sometimes. Take your time moving your ankle and see what kind of movement feels good now.
I was able to finish the class in a super mindful way. I modified the teacher’s requests, skipped some exercises altogether and all along was loving to myself. When I got home, I took time to ice my ankle and have been gently massaging CBD ointment onto my sore spot during the day and before bed (Yes, the same powerful stuff I offer to you when you arrive to your massage in pain!).
There’s one solution that I come back to for helping lessen these injuries. It’s mindful movement practice.
What does mindful movement feel like?
It feels like calm, grounded, movement. You can feel your feet on the Earth. You are in tune with how your body is in the world today. Is there pain? Discomfort? Tension? Strength? Confidence? Mindful movement is not in competition with anyone else and it does not come from a place of ego. It comes from a place of connection with self.
How can I practice mindful movement today?
Go for a walk. Feel your feet touch the Earth. Do your best to practice being in the moment during your walk. Usually I'm a big podcast fanatic but for the purpose of practicing mindful movement, leave your ears open and as empty as possible. When my mind is busy, I simplify my thoughts. I think left, right, left, right, left, right as I jog. Sometimes I think inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale. Other times I narrate to myself what action I’m doing in that exact moment. For example I’m washing the dishes, I’m listening to my toddler, I’m taking a deep breath, I’m folding the laundry, I’m walking Addie (our pup).
Self-compassion doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a practice, just like yoga or meditation, mindful walking, parenting, friendship, etc forever. It takes conscientiousness, an openness to learning a different path and creating new paths in your brain (kinder and more loving ones!).
There’s one solution that I come back to for helping lessen these injuries. It means always listening to your body. When your body tells you NO, honor your very essence by listening to that wisdom. Every day. In every moment. That self-compassion swoops in to help when you literally fall off course (or off a step). I guess in the end it’s not your fault, dear reader. Maybe I should thank you because it gave me something to write about.