This year I decided to challenge myself to reflect on various Yoga and Buddhist aspects throughout the year. The challenges come from a variety of places including readings in Deborah Adele's Yamas and Niyamas and Thich Nhat Hanh's Heart of the Buddha's Teaching and Happiness.
This weeks challenge was to look for balance. To ask my body what it wanted and honor that request.
Early in the week I found myself craving junk food. I had myself almost convinced that I should have some junk food. Then I asked my body what it wanted and the answer was the same healthy food I've been eating. So that's what I had.
One night, my mom and I were watching TV. She suggested we play a board game. I asked my body what it wanted and the answer was "movement". So I suggested we play one of our active video games instead. The movement felt great and my mom and I had a great time.
Around 10 pm is a tipping point for me. My body wants to go to bed, my mind wants to stay up and watch TV. This week I found when I listened to my body and went to bed, I felt much better than when I disregarded it and stayed up late. Particularly because the day after staying up late, the answer from my body on what it wanted all day long was "rest".
I definitely found in listening to my body all week that it craves more movement than I typically give it but also more meaningful rest. I want to continue to listen to those messages from my body and practice honoring them.
