Mind & Body Connection

Through the past 3 years I’ve done a lot of yoga and meditation and I didn’t realize how much I needed it until I felt my mind and body somehow morph into one. For an overthinker I’ve learned how to think more slowly and formulate my thoughts into making sense rather than jumping all over the place when I’m frustrated. It’s like life somewhat slows down all together and you have a moment to take a breath. At least 1-2 times a week it’s great to meditate just to realign your thoughts and restart your mind like a laptop. Adding in yoga as much as you can in addition to mediating will align your body with your thoughts. It's freeing almost. The term “selfcare” is very popular now. I believe the power of meditation is not sitting with your thoughts, it’s the act of clearing your mind of thoughts that serve you no purpose, it’s releasing negative thoughts either about yourself, others or situations outside of yourself. It is the act of being quiet, sit in that quiet space, listen to your breath, feel your lungs filling up with air and then exhaling. How many of us truly sit and take deep cleansing breaths and fully expand our lungs? That right there is a mind body connection. Not only are you fully engaged mentally when doing that, but physically your lungs are benefiting from the full expansion they were designed for and both your lungs and red blood cells are benefiting from the maximum amount of oxygen that they normally wouldn’t get from shallow breathing. The body will never be as healthy as it can be when the mind is in disarray. You can look fantastic, but if your mind ain’t right, your body ain’t right. Start out with 3-5 mins of siting alone and just being quiet with yourself. Tell yourself “for these 3 minutes, I am not going to think about anyone or anything but the sound of my own breath”. If you find stray thoughts trying to creep in to your quietness, try repeating a mantra. Some people find chanting a mantra like “Om” which means “It Is, Will Be or To Become” or “Ham-Sah” which means “I am that I am”. Ham-Sah references God’s answer to Moses when Moses asked for his name. I personally like when it's quiet or listening to instrumentals. There are also guided mediation apps to help you as well. So, try it, and let me know how you felt after. I’d love to know.