Listen to your body.

No - really. Listen to your body.

What do you hear?

Maybe a crack, pop or crunching sound.

Or maybe nothing at all.

So many time you've heard, just listen to your body. What does that actually mean? Do you ever wonder what am I suppose to hear?

Let's switch up the words to better clarify what this statement really means.

​What do you feel?

Depending on how much you feel your body will determine what you can actually hear.

And let's be honest, the hearing is not the traditional way through the auditory system.

When we reconfigure the words - "feel" replacing "listen" - this can allow us to truly drop into the process of what is my body trying to tell me.

Are you open to feel?

To take it one step further into the physiology, this is the process of sensing the internal state of the body. This is interoception.

Although interoception at times can be below our level of awareness, our bodies are constantly processing internal information. So many automatic processes occur every minute of every day and quite frankly thank goodness we don't feel them all! They just happen.

Yet, when we are physically active and move our bodies there is a shift in our physiology and we can sometimes feel the change. For example, an increase in breathing as you reach the 4th flight of stairs, the pounding of your heart while walking and talking with a friend, the possible pain sensation when you've gone beyond your flexibility level and/or have poor movement mechanics.

Interoception is the mechanism where the feelings or sensations show up.

How in tune are you with them?

Now, the statement again -

What is your body trying to tell you?

Are you recognizing the signals or not?

No judgement. Simply tune into what you can find.

The better you become in feeling what is occurring in your body, the more you are able to tap into your amazing body. Yes, your body is one awesome being!

Insight to Action

Here's a challenge for this coming week. Feel your body as you move. What is your body saying in different movement patterns and/or physical activities?

Need some help with this? I'd be honoured to work with you one on one to help you grow your ability to feel.

Or join me next Thursday to practice in the workshop, Soften Your Centre!

Stay well and happy moving,
Lisa

Well hello,

Short and sweet message for you this Easter Sunday.

If you are celebrating, Happy Easter! Well wishes as well if you are celebrating Passover or Ramadan this month too.

One tool that could support you in your physical activity behaviour is Nordic walking poles. I could go on and on about the benefits of adding poles to your walks but instead will leave you with a video from The Why I Move Project vault I created over 5 year ago.

Enjoy!

Still have questions about Nordic walking poles? Reply back to this email and I would be happy to chat!

Have a great day!

Stay well and happy moving,
Lisa

A few weeks back I was invited to sub a Hatha yoga class. It isn't a regular time I teach and it gave me lots to think about.

What was most interesting to me was that one third of the class were new to the studio and new to the class. The room was full of regulars and those ready to start/restart their yoga practice.

Yay!

It got me thinking about how people "come out of the woodwork" or shall I say hibernation from winter. We can be super gung ho and let our brains drag our bodies along. That never turns out well!

The beauty of a Hatha yoga practice is there are opportunities to stop and rest. Not like all forms of exercise. The philosophy of rest can be a lost science.​

In this week's instalment of Physical Activity QuickPlays, I discuss one way that rest is an essential part of exercise via intermittent exercise.

Check it out!

If you are heading into a new physical activity or exercise routine, give the intermittent workout a try.

I am here to support you on your physical activity journey. Reply to this email if you are needing some support figuring out how intermittent exercise might work for you. I'd be honoured to help!

Stay well and happy moving,
Lisa

Oh - one more thing…

I am hosting a free 60 minute workshop later this month. I'd love for you to join me! Here are the details below.