By Beth Dayo

When was the last time you truly listened to your body's whispers? Chances are, it's been drowned out by the hustle and bustle of our mind-dominated lives. We've grown accustomed to silencing those small cries until they escalate into shouts we can no longer ignore. This disconnect takes a toll on both our mental and physical well-being. However, there's a solution: building your body intelligence through mindful movement.

Mindful movement is the essential tool for reconnecting with your body. It serves as the initial step towards establishing a positive feedback loop. Through mindful movement, you become more attuned to your bodily sensations, recognize emotional cues linked to common conflicts, and begin developing the wisdom and tools necessary to break free from patterns that have held you back.

So what exactly is mindful movement? Let’s start with it’s opposite, mind-less movement. Joseph Pilates said “A few well-designed movements, properly performed in a balanced sequence, are worth hours of sloppy calisthenics or forced contortion.” What he is expressing here is that even 10 minutes a day of mindful movement far surpasses an hour or hours of pushing our body to achieve arbitrary standards of goodness. Being deeply attuned to your body’s sensations and the sense of gravity creates a precision of movement that is transformative.

This precision requires slow deliberate effort, especially in the beginning when distractions are aplenty and habitual movement patterns go unnoticed. Don’t mistake slow for easy though. Mindful movement is not devoid of challenge, quite the opposite, it's intense mental and physical challenge brings about unparalleled transformation.. 

The benefits of mindful movement stem from the act of fully engaging in the process. “The path is the goal,” as Ghandi would say. By learning to notice patterns of tension and imbalanced forces during movement, you attain bodily ease and deeper connection. This fosters understanding of bodily signals and empowers graceful navigation through emotional conflicts, ultimately leading to a profound appreciation of your body and enriching every facet of life.

In a world that constantly pulls our attention outward, mindful movement is a radical act of self-care. It's a commitment to nurturing your body, mind, and spirit—one intentional movement at a time. So, the next time you feel your body is your nemesis, remember: if a little noticing goes a long way, a practice of noticing is absolutely life-changing.

Beth Dayo has been sharing her movement expertise with the West Seattle community for the last 13 years. She utilizes Pilates, Yoga, and Meditation to facilitate transformation for clients at her new studio, Bend N Move, located at 3850A Delridge Way SW. You can connect with her on Instagram @life.in.the.body or visit www.bendnmove.com