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Transition from a “fix it” perspective to one of compassion and acceptance through these methods to reconnect with your body.
Recently, I’ve observed that many participants in my classes and retreats are having a tough time—not just in their minds during meditation, but also with their physical selves. Their relationship with their bodies seems to be troubled.
Mindfulness encourages us to return to the current moment as we engage with our bodies, such as focusing on our breath during breathing meditation. It’s crucial to remember that our body is always in the now.
In a yoga class I attended, the instructor mentioned “today’s body” while guiding us through the poses. She didn’t refer to your body or the body; she used today’s body. This unique phrasing sparked a sense of playfulness in me. It made my body seem more acceptable and less personal while simultaneously forging a connection with others in the room—and their bodies. Each of us has a “today’s body.”
Many of us face challenges with our bodies: how they appear, their structure, and how they “perform”—or fail to. I witness this regularly in my classes. People often say things like, “I’m not flexible,” “I’m too overweight,” “I’m too old,” “I’m too sick,” “I’m too unattractive,” “I’m too clumsy,” or “I’m too broken.” We struggle significantly to appreciate—or at the very least, accept—our bodies.
Release the Inner Critic
When we temporarily let go of the notion of “I, me, mine” tied to our bodies, something remarkable can occur. We can find relaxation. We can lighten our grip. If our body isn’t personal or “mine,” I can stop feeling entirely responsible for fixing what I dislike about it. Then my body is no longer “my fault,” allowing me to relinquish the burden of fixing it, at least for a moment. Once I release that pressure, I can expand my awareness and perception of my body.
However, you may argue that the phrase “today’s body” feels too detached and objectifies the body. Shouldn’t we aspire to love our bodies more and be more in harmony with this body?
Absolutely. The notion of “today’s body” is indeed impersonal, and that’s the purpose. Consider this: How does taking my experiences personally affect how I feel? If I love my body, this is less of an issue. But what if I don’t? That feeling can lead to a sense of failure or the belief that I can’t change what bothers me at the moment. It might range from not being able to perform a forward bend like others in class to facing chronic health issues or deeply disliking my body or certain parts of it.
Even if my body remains unchanged by tomorrow, the sensations and my mood will have evolved. They are always in flux.
I can treat “today’s body” with more kindness and understanding. At the very least, I can accept it as it is. Since it’s only “today’s body” and not “forever’s body,” I can focus on the present. I can practice awareness of my body in this moment without worrying about how it may be tomorrow, next week, or what my thoughts say about my “forever body.”
When we incorporate time into our experience, we open up to the reality that our feelings shift. The way I feel at this moment isn’t necessarily how I felt yesterday or will feel tomorrow—perhaps not even how I felt just ten minutes ago. Even if my body hasn’t changed by tomorrow, the sensations and my mood will be different. They never remain exactly the same.
As we mindfully explore the concept of “today’s body,” we can clearly see that everyone possesses “today’s body.” We all share this experience, which may help foster a deeper connection with those around us.
Mindfulness Activities for Embracing Your Body
You can engage in these activities for “today’s body” while sitting or lying comfortably, or include them in your regular meditation practice. These methods can significantly alter how you perceive your body and may even cultivate genuine body love. Give them a try!
- Awareness: Acknowledge that this is “today’s body.” Tune in to how your body feels right now. What is that experience like?
- Reflection: Every person has a body (and every animal too). Recognize what it feels like to inhabit a human body—or a male, female, or gender-fluid one.
- Loving-Kindness: Use a phrase that resonates with you, like “May this body be happy and at ease” or “May these legs be happy and at ease.”
- Gentle touch: Approach your body with kindness by simply placing a hand on the part you’re focusing on. Our bodies naturally respond to supportive touch, which conveys messages of kindness and care effectively.
Based on insights from Kristin Neff’s Mindful Self-Compassion Break
For an audio guide to a loving-kindness body scan, visit Christian Wolf’s website.
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