Get in your body!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

During this time, when an excess of visual and tactile stimulation surrounds us, I am encouraging you to GET INSIDE YOUR BODY!

Maybe you feel like, "But how can I not be in my body?"
Well, my friend, it is actually easier than you might think.  In our modern society, there appears to be an infinite amount of stimulation for the mind--new gadgets, applications, smart devices. This stimulation can be very limiting because, while the mind is engaged in these activities, the body becomes stagnant.

The more popular and well-known outlets for being in the body (i.e, going to the gym, clubbing, etc), fail to fully engage us in all of our magnificence.  In my humble opinion, it feels like we live in a predominately disconnected society.  We are encouraged to withdraw from our bodies, feelings, and true desires, forced to fit like a cog into a survival-based apparatus, with limited opportunities for merit outside the competition model.

So what to do? This article is meant to encourage you to identify ways to be more whole in your body.  Ask yourself, when do I feel most connected to myself? 

Your body is the vehicle of your soul, the host of love, pleasure and joy. As children we easily experienced such positive feelings in our bodies. But for most of us, our bodies have become the dumping ground for repressed emotions, leaving us unable to live our potential. Using physical exercises and breathing techniques....will help you to release negative emotions, open your heart and say yes to life!- Rakendra

One thing that gets me out of my head, and centered in my body, is meditation.  Where other techniques focus on quieting the mind and witnessing the body, Osho Active Meditations takes things to a more active level.

OSHO Dynamic Meditation is comprised of five stages. The first three stages are focused on fully engaging the body, almost to the point of exhaustion, until there is very little left for the mind to hang onto.  In the first stage, we engage in deep, fast, chaotic breathing through the nose.  Participants are encouraged to change the rhythm of their breath frequently. The link between the breath and the emotions is well-researched. (Pierre Phillipot explores the phenomenon in his study.) The purpose of the first stage is to charge the body with oxygen, getting the emotions stirred up for the second stage. The second stage is Catharsis, where we discharge the energy generated in the first stage.  Catharsis is an opportunity to fully release/express all feelings that arise (All is permitted with the exception of hurting yourself, others, or damaging the space.). There is no good or bad here: all is given room for expression. In the third stage, we Recenter using bio energetic movement and the mantra Hu! Combined, the two present an invitation to come back to ourselves.  The fourth stage is Witnessing: being present with the energies and sensations of the body without judgment or justification.  No judgement or justification? Can I get a "Hell yes!"

I have experienced many kinds of healing modalities, but being encouraged to breathe, feel, recenter, witness, and celebrate in one hour is a game-changer.  The last stage, the cherry on top, is Celebration.  In this stage we're invited to celebrate ourselves, the moment, life, whatever is there.

Without exaggeration, I can testify that this meditation has utterly transformed my being.  It acts like a training ground for life--the invitation to process feelings without attachment, be with life and all its parts and pieces, celebrating it, whatever it is, however it comes.  A reminder that we need on days like this.

So, I encourage you to get into your body and experience what is there, see what lessons and gifts it has for you today, celebrate the miracle of your breath and all the sensations that arise. Rejoice in yourself: you are a gift!  I hope you can feel that truth.