Body

Body awareness is the first step to integrating the mind and body into a daily practice for health and mental well being. Body awareness in this sense is not narcissistic obsession with looks or weight. Body awareness is keeping conscious track of body systems. What do I eat? What is the quality and quantity of my daily diet? Do I understand how my body processes and eliminates different kinds of food? How can I tell what kind of exercise my body needs? Is my posture healthy? Do I breathe correctly?

 

Unless I take responsible control of my own wellness, I cannot properly take responsible control of my recovery from disease or trauma when they inevitably occur. Wellness is a daily state which must be maintained, not taken for granted. In youth, it is all too easy to take wellness for granted. By middle age, this ends. If proper health habits are not established in early life, irretrievable losses already occur by middle age.

 

Body awareness can be aided by daily meditation in conjunction with a daily exercise regime. Meditation can integrate mind and body in healthy ways. By clearing the mind in meditation, the communication between mind and body can be simplified. After meditation, I often have a greater awareness of my body's stresses and needs. This enables me to adjust my practice accordingly.

 

Taking a healthy body for granted is a tremendous waste. If you currently enjoy good health, cherish that state. Do everything possible to enhance and appreciate that state every day. This area of daily personal practice yields the greatest rewards over a lifetime.