Ever wonder what’s really going on in that ah-maz-ballz body of yours? Or maybe you’ve had a moment where you felt like your body was trying to tell you something… but you just weren’t quite sure what? Here’s where the magical power of body awareness comes in.
For me, body awareness didn’t just happen overnight. I didn’t wake up one day and think, “Today, I shall be one with my body!” (Trust me, I would have remembered that! Or probably not LOL!) But after years of working with clients on my massage table and coaching them to listen to those inner cues, I can tell you body awareness isn’t just some “woo-woo” thing; it’s like finding the instruction manual to your body. And, I gotta tell ya, it’s a game changer. It has been for me in so many ways!
Body Awareness: What Is It?
In cute little nutshell, body awareness is the skill of noticing what’s going on inside and outside of you. It’s more than just knowing that your shoulder feels tight or that your hamstrings are sore after a workout. It’s about tuning in to those signals—tightness, warmth, coolness, or even energy shifts or vibrations—and beginning to understand what they mean.
So, why is this important? Because every little signal is like a text message from your body, saying, “Yo! pay attention over here!” Body awareness gives you the tools to interpret these messages before things turn into full-blown aches, pain, or even injuries. I've said this to my clients, "Listen to the whispers before it starts yelling at you."
My “Aha” Moment with Body Awareness
Let’s go back to my massage school days, where this journey started. We had this meditation exercise that’s stayed with me ever since. It wasn’t your average sit in silence and “relax-and-breathe” type of meditation; it was a full sensory experience that guided us from the outside in. I always remember because my teacher sounded like Snagglepuss...yep, just aged myself! LOL! We tuned into the sounds around us, felt the temperature of the air, the clothes on our skin, and eventually, down to the cells in our body.
I remember it like it was yesterday—feeling each layer of my body, but not fully grasping how much it had been trying to tell me. I had no clue back then. It wasn’t until I started my massage practice that I realized body awareness isn’t just a neat trick; it’s a true superpower. And ever since, I’ve been sharing that superpower with others. In my work, I’ve had the privilege of guiding a ton of bodies on my table, helping them find relief, awareness, and maybe even a little laughter in the messages their bodies send. (clears throat) Yes, even those bubble-gut moments.
Why You Should Start Listening
Body awareness has the power to transform how you:
Handle stress,
Recover from workouts, and even
Prevent injuries.
When you’re connected to your body, you’re not just moving through the day; you’re actively tuning in and making shifts before your body starts yelling at you. Your body is actually very smart. I always picture my body without my head, but is wearing glasses. Hmmm, ya maybe not, super creepy. LOL! But seriously, I know she is one smart gal for sure! So, this gal here, named Sandy aka Sandizzle, listens to her more often than not.
Why Body Awareness is Especially Important for an Active Lifestyle
If you’re someone who loves to move, challenge yourself, or train hard, body awareness could be your absolute go to for sustainable fitness. It’s easy to push through discomfort because “no pain, no gain,” right? But hold up! Real body awareness is about knowing the difference between productive discomfort (muscle burn) and warning signs that say, “Hey, take it easy, tiger.”
In fact, most of my clients come to me when they’ve ignored their body’s signals for a bit too long. They’re dealing with pain, tension, and frustration—all of which could have been eased if they’d had a better connection to what their body was saying BEFORE things got intense.
Starting Your Own Body Awareness Practice
If you’re new to this whole idea, don’t worry—I’m not going to tell you to sit still and “just listen” to your body right away. You would be like, "Oh hell nah!". Instead, here’s a quick start:
Pause and Check-In: Once a day, pause for just one minute and mentally scan from your head down to your toes. Notice any tension, warmth, or sensations without judgment.
Observe Your Breath: Take a few deep breaths, focusing on how it feels in your chest, ribs, and belly. Noticing your breath is one of the easiest ways to start connecting with your body.
Look for Patterns: Over time, start noticing if certain areas feel tense or achy at specific times (post-workout soreness or after-sitting neck tension!). This awareness helps you anticipate and care for those areas before they get worse.
Starting small will train your “body awareness muscle” without overwhelming you. Eventually, you’ll be able to sense subtle cues and make adjustments throughout your day. And you know what? You got me to talk to ask questions of all sorts of things...we can even talk about your poop! LOL!
Ready to Start Listening?
Body awareness isn’t about achieving perfection or “getting it right.” It’s about exploring a relationship with your body that allows you to feel your best, prevent injuries, and maybe even enjoy a little conversation with yourself along the way (no judgment—I do it all the time!). So, give it a shot, take a moment today to check in with yourself, and start picking up on the little cues your body’s been sending you.
And like I said, if you’d like some guidance or hands-on support, you know where to find me! In the meantime, keep listening, moving, and maybe give that body of yours a little pat telling it thank you for telling me so much. Your body has a lot to say—let’s start paying attention.
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