Change happens through awareness

You can't beat yourself into improvement – change happens through awareness and kindness.

There is a reason why we tense up at violence and discomfort. It is a visceral reaction to something unpleasant and unwanted in the body. Just as the body would expel a poison, so too the body protects itself from harm by becoming tense in the face of unwanted or unpleasant movement. This is why when building strength, stamina, flexibility or mobility awareness is key.

What are we becoming aware of? How you body feels during movement or exercise. If movement and exercise feels good, then the body will enjoy your efforts and you'll feel good afterwards. You'll feel open and ready for more of a challenge next time, or in coming weeks. If you're straining and struggling to push out repetitions, or straining and forcing a stretch, under the belief you will get stronger, fitter or more flexible, your body will revolt. It won't result in health, the result will be the body tensing against being beaten into submission.

Forcing yourself into movements that don't feel good will likely result in pain and exhaustion in the short term, or injury, compromised joints and fatigue in the long term. That's why I'm a huge advocate for first listening to the body, then exerting oneself. Sure, strength building and stretching will require you to challenge yourself to improve, however, there is a fine edge between feeling excitingly challenged (which builds vitality) versus pushing and forcing (which leaves you feeling drained).

No two days are the same when it comes to movement. Even though your mind may have a plan for what exercise and movement you're going to do that day, listen to the body before and during your practice. Many factors affect our energy levels during the day and stepping back when you need to on one day will leave you feeling good for the next day where you will feel you can have more challenge.

Bodies need to move, that's what they're designed to do and exercise and movement should be enjoyable, otherwise you won't do it and it won't result in a healthier you. If you're pushing through movement practices and exercise you don't enjoy, that will produce a grumpy, irritable version of yourself.

To effectively, sustainably and happily create change in your health and body, approaching it with curiosity, awareness and kindness for how you feel on each and every independent day is essential. If you're not sure how you feel, start with some slow Yogic movements such as cat and cow to slow down and arrive in your body before you begin.

Pushing and straining will always produce tension, we have enough stressors in life already that cause tension and stress. Let your movement and exercise be a place of enjoyment and you'll feel the health benefits and improvement for practicing this way.