What are you doing right now?

What are you doing right now?

We move all the time. From the moment we wake up, we carry out thousands of habitual movements. We brush our teeth, eat our meals, stand up, reach for the door handle and walk down the street. These actions aren’t something we normally pay attention to as our minds wander back and forth in time, thinking about what happened yesterday and worrying about the future. So what about right now?

Mindful movement is about being in the present. It’s being aware of what we’re doing and how we’re moving in the moment. For instance, when we’re walking down the street – mindfulness is about feeling the movement as we take each step, the raising of the legs, the compression of the feet, and the gentle sway of the arms as we direct our bodies toward the next destination.

When you pay attention to these small details, you can’t help but be in the present. This can take us to a calm place of self-awareness and helps bridge the connection between the mind and the body.

Maintaining a healthy mind and body starts with mindful movement.

Listen to any mental health podcast and you’ll hear a common theme – “Stay present.” This can be easily accomplished by placing your mind’s focus on your body movement. Try focusing on your breath, touching the tips of your fingers with your thumb. For a moment, look at your index finger. Imagine that your thought can travel from your head, down the shoulder, through the arm, toward the hand and to your fingertip. What does it feel like?

With practice, you’ll be able to put your mind anywhere, and with that ability, you can easily clear your mind of racing thoughts and find a sense of peace in your own form.

So, what are you doing right now?

- Karen Leung, Head of Pilates at Mindful Pilates in Central Hong Kong
(A boutique wellness studio in Central combining mindfulness with the physical discipline of Pilates)

(c) mindfulpilates.com.hk All Rights Reserved. 2018.  If you would like to share this article, please link back to this article and give credits to mindfulpilates.com.hk and the author Karen Leung. Much thanks!

This article is also printed on The Hong Kong Resource Guide 2018-2019 copy.