Body Mindfulness
Movement meditation is a term many times used to describe the practice of Tai Chi .or Yoga. Allowing the mind to follow and observe the body in movement is a simple practice that emerges when we place our attention in our movements. As it usually happens in any type of meditation, the mind tends to wander, jumping from one thing to the other. By returning the attention gently and continually to the movement, a trance state is achieved that allows us to recognize intimately internal obstacles to movement in muscles and joints.
A similar estate to movement meditation is what I call somatic meditation or body mindfulness. This involves focusing the mind on the perception of body sensations as they arise and may include very slow and gentle movements. This practice is a simple form of facilitating spontaneous body healing.
Phap Lieu, a former cardiologist and now disciple of spiritual teacher Thich Nhat Hahn that advocates the mindful practice of breathing has said:
"If you are completely conscious and present in your body it is possible to direct energy and help painful or sick areas to relax profoundly. The relaxation can be deepened more and more, from the first layer of muscles to the different organs. In this way you are creating the conditions for energy to flow without obstacles and develop your capacity for self-healing."
One of the benefits of the practice of somatic meditation in the constructive rest position shown, is that it improves the tone of those muscles responsible for posture.
These meditations are particularly useful to persons that are suffering from some type of trauma that:
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Makes it difficult for them to adopt the traditional sitting meditation pose.
Requires adopting the constructive rest position to re-balance a particular area of the body.
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Are forced to remain in this position to recover or alleviate from a trauma or a persistent chronic pain.
A somatic meditation can be self-guided with practice or led by another person. It may include simple movements that facilitate the perception of specific areas of the body. It can also be facilitated using binaural beats integrated to music or white noise.
The benefit of this contemplative practice can be felt immediately as a deep relaxation and pleasant ecstatic state. The deep relaxation experienced during a somatic meditation generally starts from a release of the voluntary muscles. As it deepens the relaxation spreads to the voluntary or somatic nervous system. When done regularly and without expectations the benefits become long lasting and habitual.
To learn how to use this practice to promote healing and the natural self-regulation process of the body you can form your own group at a time and day convenient for you. All that is required is to form or join a group of three people willing to participate. Available days are Tuesday, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Fees are as usual.
For more information please call Gilberto at 6678-3297 or write to gbvdco@gmai.com
Gilberto Barria Vallarino
BodyMind Dojo
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