Your whole you, part 2 of 6 – movement

Notice I said ‘movement’ and not ‘exercise.’ That’s very much on purpose…

You are a mental/emotional/spiritual being in a physical body. Are you tending to all aspects of you? Pause and take some time to reflect on each one the following. I’ll be addressing one key element of your life per blog over the next few weeks. When you attend to these foundational lifestyle factors, your body is more likely to feel stronger, healthier and ready to overcome whatever it may need to! And remember, I’m here to support you – you’re not alone in your process!

• • Nourishment, hydration
  • Movement
  • Sleep
  • Relationship with yourself
  • Relationship with others
  • Relationship with something greater

Movement

Notice I said ‘movement’ and not ‘exercise.’ That’s very much on purpose. When you think of exercise, do you think of struggle, pain, a concrete gym, weights, etc.? Not a very happy picture, right? But… movement… I think about what your body is capable of, when it feels good, playing on a playground, talking a walk, hula hooping, dancing, etc. I hope that you’ll be able to have the same positive outlook on movement by the end of the next few days if you don’t already 🙂

How is best for you to move?

Not physically active right now? That’s okay – start with gentle stretching or walking for 5-10 minutes at a time and see how you feel. If that’s enough for you to feel like you’ve increased your circulation and breathing rate, then that’s where you start. If that’s too much, or you have pain, that’s where individualized information is needed. Schedule an appointment with me to get started.

Been regularly physically active for a while? Play with changing up your movement and see how it can become more like ‘play’, less like ‘work’. Movement should be designed to make you feel good, to allow you to appreciate your body – chair stretches, walking, hiking, or weight training – whatever level your body wants/needs right now. Shoot for 30 minutes per day, most days.

Once you’ve begun to play with what type of movement you feel well doing, then consider your blood type. When in balance, people who are blood group ‘O’ tend to feel best when they do higher intensity movements: weights, HIIT, et. The nervous systems of those who are blood group ‘A’ tend to feel best when they do more down-regulating, relaxing movement: tai chi, yoga, swimming. As with food intake, ‘B’s are in the middle as hiking, jogging, biking, work for them.

Follow me on social media to see when I post my favorite ways to move with ease in my own body! Remember, that may not work for you, but I like to share what works for me.

Movement is so individualized – if you have pain or find that the most gentle of movements exhaust you, that’s where individualized information is needed. Schedule an appointment with me to get started.

For the next few days,

Play with your movement…

What can you learn about with what type of movement your body feels best? Can you pay greater attention to how you feel before, during and after your next bout of movement? Was it too much, just right, or did it leave you needing more?