Body Awareness...

"It’s also helpful to realize that this very body that we have, that’s sitting right here right now…with its aches and its pleasures…is exactly what we need to be fully human, fully awake, fully alive." ~Pema Chodron 

It's the week leading up to my birthday... it makes me somewhat contemplative (more so than usual). Spending some time reflecting on the different aspects of myself. I'm going to be 29. Some days I feel very old, some days I feel very young. 

Physically - I feel my years. 

Yesterday, I had a rather epic stumble (yes, epic.. it's an overused word but in this case fairly appropriate). I'm somewhat accustomed to that... steady on my feet is not something I am - though one would think, as a Taurus and as someone who has been doing yoga/tai chi/random other things, I'd be grounded. I blame that on my dad's side of the family for reasons too numerous to mention. Today, my ankle and my knee aches and still I dragged myself went to a Zumba class. 

I bless the moment I decided to attend that first Zumba class. It's very freeing and there is a joy in being able to fully move and use all my limbs. I'm not the most coordinated but... I'm getting there... the moves are coming easier, I feel the difference in my body (muscles! I have muscles again!). Sometimes I try to be aware of each movement of my body (breathe in and out, tense and relax), sometimes I just try to flow with the music. In some ways I think I'm more fit now than I've been at most other times in my life. I am definitely happier with my body than I've been at other points in my life. I've never been very fond of exercise but... there's something to be said of the ability to use one's body as it's meant to be used and I've found that it's a very good way to release any stress I may be feeling.

Giving thanks this week... today I give thanks for my body... that I'm healthy and whole and can get it to do what I want it to do (most times). 

Happy Monday all!

peace,

Ren