Issue link: http://www.bodysensemagazinedigital.com/i/995957
www.massagetherapy.com—your resource for all things bodywork 9 No matter where you are in the journey, you'll learn something about yourself when you stop and ask your body "What is missing?" and "What do you need?" mean it needs a sedative. Your mind is savvy to the physiological ramifications and psychological complexities of exercise. Let it help you decipher the mixed messages from the real deal. Once you've sorted through the "what ifs" and "yes, buts," your smart mind can sit in the director's chair and help you pursue a fitness program that really works. REST Rest is an essential part of your 24- hour activity cycle. Dancers, athletes, and people who work with their body know the importance of resting and pacing themselves. But, if your work is more mental than physical, you may forget your body's basic need to recharge. It's surprising how difficult it is to factor in the body and do something so very natural. Did you ever think someone would have to tell you to practice taking it easy? Just a few minutes of intentional rest pays off in steady energy resources all day long. If you want to live life fully and deeply rather than skim along the surface, master the art of rest. This can take some practice. A good time to observe your resting self is during a massage. Are you able to stay in your body or does your mind wander off? When you're present to receive the nurturing touch, your whole being can let go and relax. AESTHETICS Taking care of the aesthetics in your life may not seem basic to your well- being but it is. You need space, design, beauty, and love. Poets and philosophers throughout the ages have extolled the importance of such aesthetics for your mind and soul, but they're also imperative for your body. Through biochemistry and brain imaging research, scientists have linked the vibrancy of your body to basic aesthetics. 1 Tending to the art of living is simply essential to your body's health and happiness. Evaluate your space, the ergonomics of items you use, and the tactile, sensual beauty of the things that surround you to make sure they are contributing to your overall wellness. Taking care of your basic needs—from breathing and eating consciously to giving yourself the rest, exercise, support, and beauty you need—is a powerful way to say "I love you" to your body. Establish good self-care practices and your body gets the message. When you stop taking your body for granted and start including it as an important part of the program, you set something very powerful in motion. When it's not stressed or silenced, your body just continues to wake up, share wisdom, and claim its rightful place next to your mind and spirit. Understanding the intelligence and importance of your body changes your perspective on everything. B S Notes 1. Anjan Chatterjee, "The Aesthetic Brain," Oxford Scholarship Online, Jan 2014, www.oxfordscholarship.com/view/10.1093/ acprof:oso/9780199811809.001.0001/acprof- 9780199811809.html. This article is adapted from A Guide to Body Wisdom (Llewellyn, 2018) by Ann Todhunter Brode, who has been an Aston Patterning practitioner and body-oriented therapist in Santa Barbara for over 40 years. A recognized master in her field, Brode writes down-to-earth, compassionate articles on the challenges and rewards of living consciously in the body. In addition, she has produced the beautiful body-centered CD Body Breath—Three Guided Meditations. For more information, go to www.bodywisdomforlife.com.