Many movement and/or exercise classes are not done with awareness. They perhaps focus more on the outcome rather than the process. The Age Well Yoga Classes have a very definite focus on movement awareness.
The statement "what you are aware of you are in control of, what you are not aware of is in control of you" highlights the significance of self-awareness and its impact on personal agency and behaviour. In the context of mindful movements, this concept holds profound implications for the practice and its transformative potential. Let's explore how this idea applies to mindful movements within the Age Well Programme:
Self-Awareness and Mindful Movements: Mindful movements, by definition, emphasize conscious awareness and attention to bodily sensations, movements, and thoughts during the practice. You will be encouraged to be fully present in the moment, observing and exploring their body's responses to each movement. This heightened self-awareness enables individuals to identify areas of tension, stiffness, or imbalances in their bodies.
Empowerment through Awareness: Being aware of physical sensations and movements during mindful practice empowers individuals to take an active role in their well-being. This awareness will allow you to respond to your body's needs, make adjustment, and choose appropriate ways of moving that are more helpful.
Mindful Control: Through self-awareness, individuals gain a sense of mindful control over their bodies and movements. They can choose to move with intention, gentleness, and precision, avoiding forceful or harmful actions. This mindful control fosters a positive relationship with one's body and reduces the risk of injury or strain during the practice. You will feel very safe with these movements
Transforming Unconscious Patterns: The statement also implies that what is not within our awareness can influence us unconsciously. Mindful movements offer an opportunity to bring unconscious patterns, such as habitual movement patterns and emotional holding patterns, into conscious awareness. By shining a light on these patterns, you can work towards transforming or releasing them, promoting greater ease of movement and well-being.
Mind-Body Connection: Mindful movements cultivate a deeper mind-body connection, allowing practitioners to sense and understand how mental states, emotions, and stress can manifest in the body. This awareness can help you release physical and emotional tension, reducing stiffness and promoting relaxation.
Uncovering Limiting Beliefs: Mindful movements can also uncover limiting beliefs or self-perceptions that influence movement and posture. . An example of this might be prediction of pain or stiffness when moving in a certain way can keep us rooted in unhelpful movement patterns. By becoming aware of these beliefs around movement you will be able to challenge and modify them, fostering greater self-acceptance and body confidence.
Transferring Awareness Off the Mat: The self-awareness developed through mindful movements can extend beyond the practice itself. By cultivating this mindfulness, individuals can apply it to their daily activities, making conscious choices in movement, posture, and overall self-care.
From a practical perspective when you take an Age Well Yoga Class you will notice :-
Increased flexibility
Decreased stiffness
Increased joint range
Reduced musle tension
Reduced stress levels
Improved balance and proprioception
Reduction in potential injuries
In summary, the concept of "what you are aware of you are in control of, what you are not aware of is in control of you" is highly relevant to the practice of mindful movements. Through self-awareness, practitioners gain mindful control over their bodies, emotions, and movements. This heightened awareness facilitates positive transformations, empowers individuals to make conscious choices, and fosters a more harmonious relationship with their bodies and the world around them. By cultivating self-awareness through mindful movements, individuals can take charge of their physical well-being and emotional state, leading to enhanced flexibility, reduced stiffness, and improved overall quality of life.
Take a look at a short practical session
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