Listening to Your Body + SUP Yoga
What does listening to your body mean to you?
To me, listening to your body is getting to a place where you can surrender to the “should’s” and let it be. It’s doing what feels right for you, even if it’s not the “right” answer. It’s trusting in yourself to take risks, move in ways you didn’t think you could and quieting any negative thoughts your ego may be shouting at you.
Listening to your body surely is a process and certainly not something that one can ‘master” overnight. In fact, I think it’s all one big journey we’re constantly learning + growing upon.
Last weekend, I was given the opportunity to try Stand Up Paddle-boarding (SUP) Yoga for the first time with my rockin’ aunt Tiggy on Fisher’s Island. (You can read more about it here via her article on MindBodyGreen)
As someone who has never even stepped foot on an SUP, quite frankly doing yoga on top of that kind of scared the crap out of me. My ego was questioning this big-time…
What if I fall off?
What if I can’t find my balance?
What if I fail miserably?
What if you downright suck at it?
To that, my inner gut came back with, “My dear, what if you shine?”
And so I shushed my ego’s self-doubt, put one foot in front of the other and climbed onto the board. I was going to do this. I was going to trust my body.
I must say, I’ve never felt like such a goddess doing Warrior I while maintaining my balance…in the middle of the sparkling, blue harbor to boot. I felt strong, beautiful and in control. And I was forced to trust my body in a way that I never had before.
Sure my legs were shaking during side plank, and I questioned whether I could make my way into wheel. But I did it. I listened. And I persevered.
I wasn’t trying to impress, do it “right” or be anyone else other than who I was in that very moment. It was living in the present and trusting in your body at its finest. And if felt damn good.
It was absolutely invigorating.
This week, I challenge you to listen to your body in a way you may have never thought you could before. Quiet your mind, breathe and take note of what she’s telling you. Your bod is a lot smarter than you may think.
P.S. Don’t forget to check out my 21-Day Beach Confidence Program that starts next Monday, 6/29. You can find all the deets + sign up here!
xoxo,
Rachel
