While I was on holidays in Thailand recently I caught up on some readings that I have been meaning to for a while. One of the articles I was wanting to get to was a Yoga Therapy report which I had been given when I was very deep in Yoga practice while I lived in South Korea several years back. At the time I was practicing yoga 4-5 times a week for 90 minutes each time. As well as the physical practice, I was scheduling 1 hour a night to read about Yoga practice, Yoga Therapy, and the beliefs behind Yoga as a whole.
The word Yoga means ‘union’ or ‘unity’. It is a wholistic practice, not just a physical one.
Reading this article got me thinking about how we often compartmentalise our lives, and more often then not we throw a lot of eggs into one basket. One compartment is usually given a lot more attention then others. Physical/training, fuel/nutrition, mental, emotional, spiritual. All compartments are pieces of the puzzle.
As an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, I see all to often people treat the body; injuries or illnesses, in parts rather than a whole. Our back is aching – we treat that section of the back only; we have a headache – we take painkillers to get rid of the headache; we have a sore shoulder – we look at the shoulder muscles rather than any other structures around the shoulder. We are treating the symptom not the CAUSE.
The body, mind and soul – is ONE. The nervous system, muscular system, skeletal system, spiritual body is all one BODY. We must remember this when looking for answers. When a muscle is tight for example there is an opposite muscle that is lose and therefore weaker. This is often the cause of the tightness of the opposite muscle – overworked/dominate. Strengthening the loose muscles, and stretching the tight over worked muscles can be the answer.
The same way that we stretch and strengthen muscles, we should stretch and strength the mind and soul.
Do you put as much energy/effort into your mind, your spirituality, your relationships as you do to your health and fitness? Are you stretching your self? Are you strengthening relationships?
To progress in life, EVERY compartment needs energy. Every compartment must be given attention to prevent imbalances or weaknesses.
We are a unit – one whole body. Stretch yourself, your WHOLE self.
In Health & Happiness –
Sharna O’Connor x
