4 Steps Towards Creating A Mindful Movement Practice

I’ve noticed that the most difficult yoga practices for many people are Mindful Movement classes. Most people have designed their lives to be quick and efficient. We can tend to be uncomfortable with slowness, stillness, and introspection. If we aren’t moving or distracted by something - we may be faced with a thought or feeling we aren’t ready to process. During these past few months, many of us have been forced to live more slowly without a full calendar, planning every minute of the day. Living intentionally takes work - Mindful Movement is one part of it and translates to every aspect of our lives.

The biggest part of Mindful movement is listening to your body and honoring where you are in the present moment. Jon Kabat-Zinn wrote “If you want to grow and heal, you have to take some responsibility for listening to it yourself”. Take note of where you have tension in the body, breathe into that space and take note of what is accessible for you, if you need to hold on to a chair for more balance, put a book under your hand or use a bolster - give yourself permission to use props for your practice. Enjoy the journey - it’s called a practice because we’re always growing.

The soul of Mindful movement is self-compassion in the present moment - to explore your limits with compassion. Stay in each pose long enough to find release and give yourself permission to skip or adjust poses that your body is telling you no to engage in.

“If you want to grow and heal, you have to take some responsibility for listening to it yourself” Jon Kabat-Zinn

Arrive fully in each pose, riding the waves of your breath with full awareness. As you breathe out, allow your belly to fall and as you breathe in your belly should fill up. Take up space with your practice and take your time. Even if you’re being guided by a teacher and they’re cuing the next pose - allow yourself to stay in a posture as long as you need to to find a shape that feels good.

To practice Mindful Movement sign up for one of my classes + workshops