After an amazing Wimbledon fortnight we thought it was important to focus on an area of fitness that sometimes gets over-looked. The mind. How mindful or mindless are you? We all naturally possess mindfulness… however, you would not believe this when you see yogis racing ahead to the next pose in your yoga classes. Are you really able to feel your little toe on your mat? Or do you just think this is something that yoga teaches – just say!
We all naturally possess mindfulness… however, you would not believe this when you see yogis racing ahead to the next pose in your yoga classes
Mindfulness happens whenever we bring awareness to our mind, breath and body through our senses, or to our state of mind through our thoughts. Yoga is a great way to start a mindfulness journey as one of its main purposes is to bring about a connection between the mind and the body.
Mindfulness happens whenever we bring awareness to our mind, breath and body through our senses, or to our state of mind through our thoughts.
We are presented with so many opportunities to be mindful on the yoga mat while connecting to our breath, or performing body scans. The practice of yoga itself can come to a meditative practice. These techniques can be taken from the yoga mat into our everyday lives so we can learn to pause before we perform an action; like answering the phone instead of rushing to answer it, or doing something which we may later regret. Mindful movements can help you tap into that space beyond your busy mind where you are already calm and clear. If you find that the mind does wander then you can anchor it by bringing it back to the breath. Now go and be mindful and experience life with more ease and less stress.
My top three places in SW19 to start your mindfulness journey: The Hot Yoga Studio, Elm Grove, Jiva health and The Good Life Studio.
Let us know how you get on!
Yoga information by guest writer Donna Noble from Curvesome Yoga.
By Our Fitness Blogger Shelly Palmer
Visit: fabuliciousfitness.co.uk
Follow: @FitWimbledon
About The Author
Shelly Palmer
South-west London’s original fit chick, Shelly lives and breathes dance, teaches and trains instructors in a variety of disciplines, and empowers women to be the best version of themselves.