Still the Mind. Move The Body.

It feels good to move the body, there’s a real sense of feeling alive -
I’m aware of the energy that moves through me.


Having solely been (or at least it felt that way) locked into a mental existence, only relating to things cognatively - judgement, analysis, evaluation - all based on the thoughts that come and go;
I’m a bit more aware of my physical experience now.

Over the years my movement practice has changed, I’ve experimented with different ways of moving and that has helped me establish
the connection between my mind and body.

Only lifting to weights to try get bigger, where my mind is everywhere else but on the action. To 3 years on ashtanga yoga practice in 36 degree heat for the euphoric sensation upon completion.


I’ve had months bouldering interacting with “puzzles” and a year practicing mobilty with an expert who loved climibing trees as a way learning about the body. I also practiced jiu-jitsu for 8 months in NYC to face some fears.

I’m slowing down and allowing for a more intuitive practice of late. To do what feels right for my body in any moment, less forcing. I still love lifting weights, now with more awareness and for the stability it gives to my posture.

Nietzsche said “there is more wisdom in your body than
in your deepest philosophy.” 

It’s a storehouse for so much beyond what the
mind thinks that it knows, the body always does.

As the book says “the body keeps the score” - it remembers what the mind forgets. All the stressful interactions and emotional charge secreated as chemicals in the body, that is not regulated and released, becomes stagnant in the body, affecting us many ways - check the book out it’s great.

The mind thrives to be still. The body wants to move. Maybe, in moden society, we’ve got that the wrong way round.

Movement creates physical sensation and so there is more to be aware of - making it easier to bring the attention here when you choose to.
In terms of meditation practice, I love to move & stretch
before sitting still for this reason.

It’s easier to notice the breath too. Another thing we may have lost touch with because of it’s automacity. Movement activates the breath, another anchor to this moment.

It seems this added awareness for me is helpful when subtle signs of stress arise, with more knowledge of what is happening in the body I can interrupt the build up and take action.

Roll the shoulders, ease the neck or take a breath etc.

And now if I don’t actively move my body for a day or so, it affects my…I feel less mentally sharp and lethargic.

In these states, I’m prone to letting other areas slip…what I eat suffers and I might smoke a cig or 2 more. 

The mind affects the body and vice versa.

In a spiritual sense, it feels like now the gateway to higher states is through the body - the subtle yet powerful life force that permeates is always present but requires activation to be really felt.

I’m learning that mostly it’s about reconnecting to what’s already here, but over the years has been forgetten.

To get out of the head and into the body, at least once a day.x