Approaching Mindfulness and Movement Intuitively 

Em Butterfield-

Have you ever been curious about how mindfulness and movement are intercorrelated? Both these pillars of wellness can add great value to life and approaching them with an intuitive stance can reap even more benefits! There are many misconceptions about mindfulness and movement. The idea that mindfulness, or mindful forms of movement, are about “clearing the mind” fits into this category. In reality, it’s very rare to be completely “free of thought”.

Mindfulness is an important aspect of movement and exercise that is often overlooked. Give yourself grace and acknowledge that thoughts, feelings, and sensations will come up.  If you hear a disruptive noise or think about something distressing, that’s okay, because these are simply stimuli your brain is processing. Just gently guide your mind back to your breath, your body, and the movements you’re making with it. Try to release self-imposed pressure of what your practice should look like. Having an environment devoid of surprise or background noises can be unrealistic. Instead, just invite them in! Being present just means witnessing what’s happening in the moment without fighting it. 

Keep in mind that different practice lengths work for different people! Getting into a regular movement routine and incorporating mindfulness, regardless of length, can be very beneficial for wellbeing. On days where you feel under the weather or otherwise not drawn to being physically active, you can turn to mindfulness alone to uplevel your mood. There are many soothing tools that one can employ. For example, using a candle as a focal point to gaze at while breathing deeply can be particularly calming. 

Bringing a peaceful picture to mind and focusing on that can be centering too. You might bring to mind the sights, sounds, smells, tactile sensations, and even tastes associated with a peaceful place. If this feels soothing for you, try breathing deeply as you call upon these sensations mentally throughout the day to ease stress. Above all else, remember that your practice is your time for YOU- and as long as you’re taking care of your body there’s no “right” way for this to look. Play around with a couple approaches and see what you discover along the way!