Mindful Movement

What exactly is Mindful Movement and why can it be good for you? Put simply, it’s movement through which we are intentional, attentive and aware of the movement within and of the body (including the breath). With so many things to do and places to be, we tend to run on auto-pilot and take for granted most of the movements our bodies make throughout the day. Even when exercising we can be so focused on “getting it done” that we barely pay real, close attention to the process. Mindful movement focuses not just on moving but on the quality of our movements and how they make us feel. It’s obvious then that bringing mindful attention to our body helps us become more aware of it and to feel more safe, strong and steady within it.  

So if exercise and fitness have become a bit of a chore to you or your workouts are on auto-pilot, then mindful movement can help reinvigorate your enthusiasm and curb the plateau in results that can come with a stagnant routine. Or, if you’re experiencing stress and overwhelm but the idea of meditation makes you even more anxious, then mindful movement could be a way for you to explore the benefits of mindfulness in a more accessible way.  

Check your intention

The intention of mindful movement is attention over calorie burn or hitting your personal best. This is why certain forms of movement over others tend to lend themselves to mindfulness such as yoga, qigong, swimming, and walking. Focus all your attention on feeling what is happening in your body, the contraction of your muscles, the fullness of your breath, the sensations of energy and blood flow. Be more present and you’ll be more in love with what your body can do. 

Find your breath

Your breath is part of your body and all movement can be supported and facilitated by attentive breath. Perhaps you’ve found yourself holding your breath during a difficult exercise and noticed the difference when an instructor reminds you to breathe? Tune into your breath as your body moves and you’ll see that mindfulness is a dance between the two. Increased breath awareness has been shown to cultivate better focus, relaxation, improved sleep, and lowered stress and anxiety. 

Incidental movement

Begin to practice being mindful during incidental movement too, not just dedicated exercise time. For example when you are walking from the train to the office, rather than scrolling through your emails try paying attention to what is happening in your body. How does it feel as your feet move in rhythm? How does your body interact with the surroundings? What does a fast pace versus a slow pace feel like? Can you stay attentive to your breath as you walk?