Are you looking to be more mindful in your daily life? Well, then you’ve come to the right place.
Most people spend their lives worrying about the past and future. And sadly, it’s rare to live in the current moment. But the mindful movement is a way to break that cycle and ground yourself in the present.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about mindful movement.
The What
What is mindful movement? Well, it’s not as complex as it sounds.
To put it simply, the mindful movement practice helps you bring awareness to your movements, especially during exercise. It’s thinking about the way your body flows, feels, and interacts with your surroundings. And it gives you a moment to check in with your body and listen to what it needs.
This practice also involves mindful breathing and breathing therapy. It might sound funny to practice breathing since you do it all the time, but you probably rarely think about the way that you breathe. And when you connect breath to movement, you’ll feel increased effects from the practice.
The Why
In 2021, it’s easy to bury yourself in a screen and forget about the surrounding world. And don’t feel bad if that’s you because everyone is guilty of doing it. But every once and a while, it’s nice to put all that away and just be.
As a practice, mindful movement connects the body and mind, improves focus, and makes you live in the present. And when you incorporate mindful breathing, it can help to relieve stress, boost health, and improve sleep.
There have also been some studies that show the benefits of mindful movement. For example, Penn State University conducted a 2018 study where researchers found that increased mindfulness while walking reduced stress in students. They also note that mindfulness is a great way to boost the positive effects of light exercise for those who can’t engage in strenuous activity.
The How
If you want to give this a try, there are a few mindful movement exercises that you can do. There’s walking, yoga, tai chi, stretching, and general exercise. But no matter which exercises you choose, there are a few principles that they all share.
First, you should be aware of your surroundings. This means that you pay attention to the world and leave distractions like your phone and music at home.
Second, focus on how your body moves and connect each movement to your breath. Be intentional with the placement of your hands and feet and breathe into the muscles as you move them.
Now You Can Practice Mindful Movement
Practicing mindful movement isn’t without challenges, but it’s worth the work. You’ll feel so many benefits and be more connected with your body, mind, and surroundings. Now put away any distractions and start doing some mindful movements!
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