I’ve been inspired to write about the power of slowing down because, for many of us, it feels incredibly hard to do.
Recently, I spent some days in Sardegna by the sea, dedicated to resting, reading, and swimming. Despite my intentions to relax, I found it challenging to truly unwind during the first couple of days.
Having been working with Embodiment and Nervous System Regulation for many years, I knew that one of the main reasons for this is Nervous System Dysregulation and how unsafe it feels for our body to slow down.
Did you ever experience times when you wanted to relax and slow down but it felt very hard and ended up feeling more anxious?
If this is you, I invite you to check out Why I can’t Rest or Relax
The Body-Mind Connection: Different Speeds, Different Needs
Moreover, something that I learned during my healing journey was that the body and mind operate at different speeds. The mind moves quickly and with urgency and we believe that our bodies and actions should follow suit.
But, the body operates at a much slower pace. It is extremely important to listen to the body as well.
For years I struggled with this discrepancy. My mind wanted to fill my days with numerous appointments and activities, but my body struggled to keep up with the demanding schedule I was setting for myself.
The result was, I was constantly feeling tired, fatigued and overwhelmed.
If we genuinely want to find a balance in our daily life, we need to slow things down to notice what is happening within our bodies.
How else can we develop our awareness if not by slowing down?
Overcoming Information Overload
We live in an age where we are constantly bombarded with information from the news, social media and television. We become aware of events happening globally almost instantaneously.
But can our nervous system actually sustain this pace?
I doubt it. Up until a few years ago, we were only aware of news happening in our immediate surroundings, which created far less burden than the current influx of global information.
Can you feel this pressure?
The Role of Yoga In Embodiment
One powerful way to facilitate this process of slowing down and reconnecting with ourselves is through the practice of Yoga of Embodiment.
This form of yoga emphasizes embodied movement and deep, conscious breathing, helping us to tune into our bodies and the present moment. By integrating these practices into our daily lives, we can create a bridge between the mind and body, fostering a sense of inner balance and tranquility. Yoga encourages us to slow down, listen to our bodies, and cultivate a deeper awareness of our physical and emotional states
Practical Steps to Slow Down
I believe that taking the time to rest, breathe intentionally, and introduce pauses between our thoughts and words will help us stay more present. When we are more present within ourselves, we naturally become more present in our communities, with our family and loved ones.
The Invitation: Hit the Brakes
This blog post is an invitation to hit the brakes. It’s an invitation to recognize that slowing down is one of the most needed remedies of our time. By being in the present moment, we can reconnect with our instincts, track our feelings and sensations, and understand our needs, desires, limits, and boundaries. This is deeply healing and empowering.
I’d love to hear how this resonates with you
