Necessary Best Friend Truths!

I have continued to explore tuning into and listening to the integrative wisdom and truth the body has to share regarding the body's needs in any moment. This blog I wanted, to share a  couple of times I forgot to tune in and instead let my ego lead the way. And how my intuitive body kindly taught me a necessary truth, just like a 'best friend' would.   
I forgot to use my favourite ABC practice to tune into the body’s needs

1. A -Aware (of how I was feeling)
2. Breathe 
3. Connect with the wise self by going down to the heart and asking ‘What does my body need in this moment?

As I have mentioned, sometimes a best friend will tell us a hard but necessary truth about what is best for us. This is often a painful truth that may be difficult to experience, say, or to hear. However when our inner best friend/wise self is speaking it is always in our best interest. So my wise intuitive body taught me a tricky lesson on Cup Day, when I did not listen to its' kind wisdom. 

My Blood Bank Lesson 
I had a near fainting experience at the Blood Bank on Cup Day. Ironically it was when I was making an appointment for my next donation!

Interestingly, it was a timely lesson about ignoring the ultimate wisdom of the body. I woke up that morning feeling a little light headed, but I forgot to tune into what my body needed and decided to ignore it and go to the blood bank anyway. I had a light breakfast and probably not enough to drink (more not tuning in) Thankfully I did decide to drive, rather than ride my bike!. I arrived at the blood bank and just scraped in for weight and haemoglobin -  I was still not listening to my body and what it needed (to go home, have something to eat  and to rest!). I again forgot to tune in, ignored my body's needs and donated blood. 

I sat down for a drink and something to eat after the donation got up to make my next appointment and felt very woozy! I must have looked a bit spaced out because within seconds blood bank staff rushed from everywhere!

Eventually I was allowed to drive home where spent the rest of the day recovering and finally listening to my body's need for rest, food, liquid and iron.

Ironically the next day my mum had asked me how I had spent Cup Day. I replied 'on the couch after giving blood early in the morning'. She wisely said 'When will you learn to listen to your body Maree?' A good question, that maybe could have been phrased a little more kindly. Again a great reminder to work with kindness and curiosity when we make so-called mistakes and forget to listen to our wise, best friend selves for real 'self care'!

My falling over lesson 
I fell over on my plod around the block way back in March (not an uncommon experience for me!). I wanted to fit a quick plod in before teaching yoga and was rushing home for the class when I tripped up. I now understand I was not tuning into my body and its' need to 'slow down' and not rush. I was tempted to give myself a hard time, but instead decided to remain curious regarding the lesson. 

Some time later I discovered the fall resulted in a hamstring injury which has been a great reminder to me to listen to my body.

To aid my recovery I have again needed to listen to my body and to my wise Physio friend Caroline to remain active and to strengthen in safe ways. I have slowed down my running (from a plod to a slow plod) and have been doing what my husband calls 'Cyril Rioli' (an Aussie Footballer with a hamstring injury) style running which involves small paces, core engagementd and pelvic tilt. (also very similar to the Cliff Young style).

I am doing my best not to rush, generally (it is not what my body needs). And I have been especially aware not to rush to fit a fun in and to listen to my body to ask whether a run is what my body needs. And  while running I continue to tune into my body's needs at any moment and make the necessary adjustments as I plod along. I am sharing this in yoga too and we practice tuning into our body and its needs it any moment and to let go of any striving.  It is much more fun and my wise body constantly reminds me to let go, relax, slow down and smile!  
My current mantra to stop the rushing and striving  'Relax Maree you have plenty of time.'
 
When I am able to explore my wants and needs with awareness and curiosity, I am able to be aware to tune into my body for what is needed rather than be bossed around by the tricky task master who is so often punitive and demanding with its wants. It takes practice to get used to tuning into and listening to that best friend who is always on our side. For me it is well worth the time and effort. It is an important way I can look after myself  and practice true self-care in order to be more available to connect and care for others.  

As you know I love this quote from Sarah Ford's book ‘Be Like a Sloth and  When In doubt, just chill out'.  "Sloth is always true to himself. He doesn’t do exercise (because that is not what his body needs), but he does look after himself – he eats well, sleeps well and is tune with his mind and his body in all its hairy entirety.’ I will share more of my amazing sloth teachings next blog!

Have fun being grateful and tuning into your body's needs in any moment and truly looking after yourself, to allow you to be available for others.