Body Awareness
Body Awareness: How to deepen your connection
with body?
So many of us do not really grow through what we go
through. We tend to move further away from our consciousness as we delve deep into
the cruelties of life. It takes a lifetime to master the art of self-awareness
and the capitalistic society we live in is hopeless. The instant world of
liking, sharing, and commenting has blurred our vision and the result is a
filtered polaroid, a filtered person. Jean Baudrillard rightly stated in his
paper, ‘Radical thought’ that nothing is real anymore and everything is a
simulacrum. How many times have you added a filter to hide your scars in the
picture or applied foundation because it made you feel less miserable about
your acne? The inner critical chatter has led all of us to believe that we do
not deserve love and withholding admiration and affection for ourselves is the
right way to live.
I had similar notions regarding myself until I was
left alone with nothing but my own words to nurture my mind, body, and soul. It
is often said that God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers so,
don’t we, God’s strongest soldiers, deserve some love and realization of our
own worth? Now, you might ask how do I get over trifles and acknowledge my
needs. Practicing acceptance and forgiveness is the first step. You do not have
to look at the whole staircase, focus on your next step and wait for the
response from your inner voice.
Mornings have always inspired me to start afresh. All
you need to do is go out in your balcony, visualize your day as it slowly
unfolds the new opportunities for you. Water your plants and embrace the
newness. The productivity-oriented society will make you think that it is a
sheer wastage of time. But sometimes you need to slow down, to stop the rush,
turn the clock away to live your life to the fullest. So, you sit by the
balcony and look at your thoughts, negative and positive. You do not have to
believe every story your mind narrates. Quietly observe the workings of your
mind, how it produces your thoughts, and how quickly you accept everything it
produces. Some people call it meditation. I call it acknowledging your
existence.
I started writing whenever I was overwhelmed by my
surroundings. I have a confessional style of writing and that’s how I connect
with my body. The catharsis I reach after writing it out is exhilarating. Ask
yourself as to what makes you smile. What enlightens you and gives you a reason
to survive. Make time for it. It could be painting a single flower on a white
sheet or cooking a delicious meal. It could be building castles from mud or
wearing makeup on a Sunday. Make time for it. these little things will help you
get to know yourself.
Compliments can be deceiving but mirrors seldom lie.
Sit in front of the mirror and look at yourself. Look at your hands which touch
so many lives, things and let go of them without ranting. Take a glance at your
face and touch your moles, scars. They make you who you are. One in eight
billion. Like everyone else and yet one of a kind. Look into your eyes and
peek into the abyss, you will realize how far you have come. Thank your feet
and legs for carrying you through it all. the anxious running, chasing, and
neglect.
Notice your breath rise and fall as you walk. Take
five minutes to practice this every day. Simply, bring your awareness to your
breath and give it your undivided attention. Feel it moving upwards and
downwards all the way down to your belly. This will make you more vulnerable. Yoga
and other movement exercises help in deepening the bond as well. Dancing,
stretching, walking will make feel alive as you lose your focus and become one
with your body. Allow it to move with the rhythm of music and get your groove
on. Tap your feet slowly, gently, and own that moment.
Since childhood setting boundaries and saying no was
the hardest thing I had to do. It still is. Over the years, I learned how toxic
it became for myself and gradually to others as well. Drawing a line is
important. Listen to how your body responds when a vibe puts it off. Say no
firmly and keep doing it till you learn. Reading books in a park helped me
understand the significance of solitude. Connecting with nature helps you
connect with yourself as you are a part of it. A small particle of the ocean of the universe.
Rewarding yourself with moisturizers and lather your
soul in self-love. It will help you understand what you like and what you do
not want in your life. Treat your body like a newborn and observe its reactions.
Feed it fruits and chocolates, balance is all you need once you know. Like any
other human relation, this bond with yourself will take time. You will fall
several times, might let people overstep your boundaries, sacrifice your own
needs, chase after somebody who neglects you but life is a bumpy road and I
hope you keep walking.
-Vaishali Sharma
Comments
Post a Comment