Listening to the Body

Listening to the body is fundamental for health and wellbeing.  When under stress, however, the body  wants to remove the immediate problem as quickly as possible and often the quick fix is not the healthiest choice.  For example, when you don’t eat breakfast, your blood sugar is so low and the brain uses so much energy that the body sends an emergency signal to eat something sweet - the fastest way to protect the brain.  But eating sugar can start the insulin roller-coaster of high and low blood sugar, keeping the body out of balance.  When the body is out of balance, it acts to save us from the emergency, not to maintain heath. Thus, it is important to recognize when the body is out of balance. 
When relaxed and balanced, your body gives you subtle cues to help you maintain health.  You might tune in and realize that a certain food sounds amazing – it might be because you need whatever vitamin or mineral it contains.  Or maybe your neck hurts and you realize that you have been worrying about something that you need to address.  Or maybe you are in a yoga pose and feel pain or notice your face scrunching up - your body is telling you to change something – breathe, or back off, or modify.  Our bodies are full of wisdom that helps us heal and maintain health.