Relaxation Tip: Be Aware of Your Body

By Gordon Rosenberg
Most of us aren't very aware of ourselves. We've learned not to feel pain, or tension, or even pleasure. A relaxed and healthy body needs to be acknowledged and given what it needs to stay healthy. To do this, you must be relatively aware of what's happening inside you.

It's okay to feel your body. Does this seem like an obvious statement? Maybe. But the truth is we're often trained from an early age to not feel our bodies. People around us may think it's not right. Or maybe we hurt them in some way and we try to repress the sensation of pain. Many of us suffered some kind of abuse that convinced us it wasn't safe to feel our bodies.

We Must Listen to Our Bodies

For whatever reason, many, probably most, people on this planet do not sense their own bodies as they should, in order to be healthy. Our bodies need to be acknowledged so we can know how to help them achieve optimum health. Bodies know what they need, but we often stand in the way of them having such things as adequate rest, proper nutrition, the chance to relax deeply now and then, and many other vital things.

Did you know your body can tell you what it needs? Why shouldn't your own body be able to tell you its needs? After all, it's your body. You're in there with it. Why shouldn't it know what to tell you? We just need to learn to listen. This exercise is intended to help you learn to listen to your body. If this exercise helps you become a bit more aware of your body, and relax even a small amount in the beginning, that's fine. As with most things, the more times you practice it, the better you'll become at relaxing.

Body Awareness Exercise

It's helpful if you're in a place that's fairly quiet and you have nothing else on which to focus. Sit comfortably. Begin by paying particular attention to your breath. Take two or three deep, slow breaths. Let your breath move slowly, and as freely as possible, through your body. Feel your breathing as deeply as you can in your body. Let your breath move through all parts of you. Let yourself begin to relax. Let go of any thoughts you may be holding onto, anything you can from your day, any worries, any concerns. Let go of any thoughts about the past, or the future. Just let them go for now.

Let go of any sensations which may arise. Begin letting go of any stress or tension you may be holding in your body. Continue to let go of whatever you may feel yourself holding, any thoughts, or feelings, or concerns, anything that may keep you from relaxing. Let yourself sink slowly into the place where you're sitting. Let go as much as you can and relax into that place.

Imagine Letting It Go

Let energy continue to flow freely through your body. Imagine that you can let go of anything that's not benefiting your body. Just let go and let the energy move more fully through you. Imagine that you're relaxing even deeper. If you feel any particular place in your body, or if your awareness comes to any spot, let that part relax more deeply.www.facebook.com

Let this gentle wave of relaxation move more deeply through your entire body. Gently letting the energy flow down through your body. Let go of holding on. Let go of anything that may not be serving you. Just let go of everything. Take a few moments now and continue to allow your body to relax. Once again be aware of the energy moving through your body. Continue letting go of anything which needs to be released. When you feel ready, bring your awareness fully back into the room around you. Be fully back in your body before resuming your normal activities. See if you can stay relaxed through your day. Relaxation Tip: Be Aware of Your Body