Befriending your Body
The best way to effectively unlearn chronic stress and ingrained pain responses is to provide both the mind and body with new, healthier responses that can be practiced regularly. This is my sincere hope for you; to guide you in learning how to actively choose health and overall well-being in your life. There are many yoga practices designed specifically for relaxation, stress reduction, managing difficult emotions, examining deeply held thoughts and beliefs about pain, and training the mind to become less reactive to painful sensations. Through yoga, you will discover how to harness your mind as a valuable resource for healing, rather than feeling like you are at the mercy of an unpredictable body. Furthermore, yoga will equip you with a clear framework to care for your body, empowering you to seize control of your experience—even in times of pain. By assisting you in transforming chronic pain and stress responses into what I like to call “chronic healing” responses of both mind and body, yoga will achieve much more than merely reducing your suffering from chronic pain. It will, in fact, bring you greater strength, courage, and joy in all aspects of your life.
In my practices, I will guide you in cultivating conscious compassion, gratitude, and acceptance of your body. This is also an invitation to observe how you think about, speak about, listen to, and treat your body in everyday life. All of these practices require time to welcome emotions and thoughts about your body that you may have held for some time. There is no need to, nor should you attempt to, suppress other feelings about your body that may be more familiar at present. Over time, you will find the mindset of friendliness more natural, and it will become an integral part of your unconscious way of relating to your body.
***This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine, or overall health regimen.