Appreciation

Appreciation... We rarely appreciate the value of the body that we have, or the difficulties we have subjected it to during our day to day activities. To quote a great teacher Eugene Halliday, ‘to be born into a body is very good fortune indeed, as during this period of modern contraception, it is becoming more and more difficult to get one, so make best use of the one you already have’.

To appreciate the value of the body you have, treat it kindly. When practising Asana, send good feeling into every area of limitation. An ageing body is part of a natural process, so be kind to it by sending good feeling into every area of the body. You are more likely to dissolve stress by cooperating lovingly, rather than exercising forcefully and with a feeling of frustration and annoyance.

Relaxation – during relaxation, take time to send good feeling into your bones, and really appreciate them for the good job they do, gradually extend this feeling into the whole of the skeletal system. Next send good feeling into the digestive system as this can suffer if there is prolonged stress; continue this process to include the circulatory system, pulmonary circulation (heart lung system), and your integument, that is the whole of the skin surface. Finally aware of the whole body as lying within a field of intelligence and peace that cares for you well being at every level.