i don’t know about you, but i used to find it hard to listen to my body. well, i don’t know if it’s that i had a hard time exactly; it was more that i didn’t really like to do it.

i never trusted my body or the information it provided. it was my mind that was in charge; my body was just a tool for my mind to use.

my body seemed to be the most contrary thing.

it wanted me to rest when i had things to do. it got hungry when i had just eaten or when i was right in the middle of something or when i did not have time to stop and eat. it was always pointing out nagging aches and pains. it had problems that i could not get rid of – like allergies or a lack of energy.

over the years, i learned how to ignore it.

when i did listen to it, i treated it like this annoying thing that didn’t really know what it wanted. “no, you’re not in pain. i don’t have time.” “no, you’re not hungry. you’ve eaten enough.” “no. no. no.”

i spent most of my time living in my mind.

the only thing i really did that consistently took me out of my mind was trail running. that was why i loved it. everything was quiet and all i could think about was my feet on the trails.

even then, i never really focused on how my body was feeling other than to appreciate that it could run.

after i took my first reiki class, i started giving myself a reiki treatment every day.

those treatments were the first time that i really took the time to sit and pay attention to myself at all. (which is not to say that i didn’t sit, just that i never paid attention.)

as i paid more and more attention, i began to realize that my body was not out to get me.

in fact, it was actually more loving and supportive than my mind.

while my mind was saying, “you’re fat,” my body was saying, “sweetie, you’re hungry; you need to eat.”

while my mind was saying, “you need to do/be/have more,” my body was saying, “sweetie, you’re burnt out; you need to rest.”

while my mind was saying, “you can’t do the things you want to do,” my body was saying, “sweetie, you’re on the wrong road; you might want to rethink this.”

when i started listening to my body, it was like finding this great new way to get information on myself.

if you’ve read about my reiki sessions or done a reiki session with me, you know that i invite you to set aside the hour to relax, to pay attention to yourself, to see what you notice.

i do this because it helps anchor you in the experience.

i also do this because it gives you the opportunity and the permission to relax and pay attention to your body.

when you pay attention to your body, you’re telling yourself that your body is important.

it is important.

it’s important to show it care and consideration.

it’s important to affirm its importance. when you do, it gives your body a chance to talk to you.

if reiki isn’t your thing, there are lots of other ways to do this.

you can try yoga or meditation.

you can take a one song dance break.

you can use a gentle touch.

you can take a few minutes to just notice what’s going on with your body.

all you really need is a little attention and curiosity.