So many of us are completely disconnected from our body when we work out. I have personally seen this first hand from all the clients I have trained in my years as an instructor. Obviously this is not the case for everyone but sadly it is for many. I am extremely passionate about mindful movement, movement filled with purpose, intention and truly being present. In todays world we are rarely present; reminiscing about the past and planning for the future we forgot that true living is in the now.

I’ve seen the benefits of giving everything to a single moment, giving yourself the time not only to move but connect. It’s through that connection that we see change and progress both on and off the mat.

Here are my top tips on how to move mindfully with purpose, to get the most out of your physical practice, no matter the method.

WHY ARE YOU MOVING?

It is really important to stop and ask yourself why you want to move? Remember that moving the body is so much more than burning fat or losing weight. Our bodies are designed to move, play, create and connect so the act of moving itself is not just the key to health, it is the key to a transcendental experience, a pathway to happiness no matter the calories you burn. Mindful movement obviously isn’t the same as meditating but it can definitely benefit you in the same way if you give into the moment.

FIND THE PRACTISE FOR YOU

Like with anything in life, you’ve got to have the desire to want to continue and persist. It’s the small day to day habits, routines and rituals that make the difference in the end. Don’t just do something because someone else said you should. We are all unique. Find what works for you, that is where you will find your happy place, your drive, your motivation, your vigour and this is what will help you establish a solid physical practise you will continue.

DISCONNECT TO CONNECT

Turn all notifications off, close your apps, put your phone on silent. Be present in the moment. Whatever you decide to do just make sure you carve that time out for you. It may sound obvious but trust me I’ve seen it all. I once trained a client who walked into our session on a conference call and wanted to start whilst he was still on the call. You cannot connect to your body when your mind is elsewhere. Give it the attention it deserves. As the old adage goes, ‘be at one’.

FEEL ALL THE FEELS

Truly connect. What are you doing, what do you feel, what feels good, what feels bad? Listen to your body and what is it telling you. Its voice is loud when it has an audience. Learn to listen beyond the humdrum of your daily thoughts and begin to feel.

SOUND VIBRATIONS

Everyone is different but for me music and movement go hand in hand. Sound helps me transcend to another space to really connect. For some it may be that sound does the opposite, as I said before, find what works for you.

BABY STEPS

Start small. Baby steps towards awareness is the key to greatness. Like anything new it takes time and practice to learn how to channel your mind and hone your skills. Mindful movement is not only a way of moving your body but a practice for living. The more mindful we are on a day-to-day basis the more mindful we will be in all that we say and do. It doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a continuous journey that will teach you about yourself every step of the way.

DON’T BE AFRAID

Don’t be afraid to push yourself to your limits. Discovery is part of the journey. No one said it would be easy. Movement is about exploration, about education, about learning to see what you are capable of and that may sometimes mean feeling uncomfortable. This is often the place we learn the most about ourselves. Once you harness the mind you will be amazed at what your body can achieve.

PRACTISE COMPASSION

Finally, and probably most importantly, be kind to yourself. This journey is never about perfection or how you look. We are all different. Everyone is unique, never compare yourself to others that may seem greater. You never know what anyone is truly going through. Your journey is yours, and yours alone. No one knows you better than yourself. Trust in that and trust in you.

So next time you get onto the mat, remember that how you show up there may be how you show up in life. Give yourself the time you deserve, to disconnect in order to reconnect.

See you on the mat.

Love Amy x @abodyforever