Are You Listening to Your Body?
Learn how to listen to your body in our Feel to Heal Program
I signed up to run a marathon this upcoming summer. My brother and sister-in-law have been running triathlons, and invited me to join them for this race. I intended to sign up for the half-marathon, but it was sold out by the time I went to register. I then had to make a decision…to not run at all, or to run twice as far as I had hoped. I have come to enjoy running over the years, but I was a sprinter in high school, so 26.2 miles sounds a little daunting. The most I have ever run at one time is a half-marathon, when I did the Indy Mini a few years ago. I better start training…
I took advantage of the warm weather this weekend and went for a run outside (I definitely prefer this to running on a treadmill). I planned to just go 4 miles, but was feeling pretty good at mile 3, so decided to go for 5. Unfortunately, my left hip started aching after 4 miles. It was not unbearable, so I kept going. I could have probably completed all 5 miles at a slow jog, but I was in pain and starting to limp a little as I ran. I had a choice to make: Do I push through and finish my run? Or do I listen to my body and walk the rest of it?
I decided to listen to my body, and stopped after 4.5 miles. As soon as I started walking, the tension on my hip subsided.
If I’m honest, I’m not always great at listening to my body’s signals. I am good at pushing through and enduring. And to be fair, we live in a culture that encourages this. My story about running is an example of pain caused by physical activity, but our bodies also communicate with us when we are experiencing various emotions or stressful or traumatic situations. When we are anxious, we might feel that as knots in our stomach. If we are stressed out, we might have a headache. If we are angry, we might clench our jaw and tighten our neck and shoulders.
What is your body trying to communicate with you? Are you listening?
When I moved here at the end of August, Allie was just starting up another round of her Feel to Heal program at Studio A. It was fascinating to be a part of this class and learn from her. Two of the program objectives are:
practice sensing emotions in the body and begin to tune into our “felt sense”
seek to befriend our body and understand its messages
This class will help you reconnect with your body, to tune in, and really begin to listen to what your body is trying to communicate with you. It is designed to introduce more ease into our physical structures by building awareness of how emotions and stress affect our body, and by gaining capacity for handling those things in a more embodied way. So often we wait until our bodies are screaming at us to do anything: go to the doctor, get a massage, seek out medication, numb the pain with other things, etc. What if we started listening when our bodies whisper, so it doesn’t have to scream?
Want to learn how to listen to your body? Sign up for the Feel to Heal program today! The early bird discount is available until the end of tomorrow, December 11, so if interested, don’t wait. This discount saves 10%.
Extended Massage Hours Before Christmas
I will be out of the studio the week of Christmas, so am extending my hours next week to allow more client appointments. Book your pre-Christmas massage today!
Gift Certificates Make Great Stocking Stuffers
Gift certificates are available for purchase on our website, and make great Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers. Get yours today!
Have a great week!
~Callie