The wisdom of my teeth.

As I write, I am checking in with my jaw.

Sometimes I'm not very good at figuring out whether I'm stressed out or in balance. Yoga has always helped me to figure out how I'm going and what I'm feeling. But I can't just open my eyes one morning and know all the nuanced emotions and states of mind, body and heart that are happening within myself.

In class I always encourage everyone to have a "check in" with themselves at least once, just as I was encouraged when I began my yoga practice. I always thought I just wasn't very good at it because I'd so often have absolutely no idea of how I really was going.

The gift of yoga and a body to practise poses with, has helped me to realise that my body is telling me what's happening deeper inside. Slowing down and moving mindfully, sitting and doing yoga breathing, or focussing on my breath without changing it, have all helped me to notice what's happening in my body, and as an extension, in my mind, and heart.

In yoga, there are layers of the self to get to know, called koshas. We move through awareness of these different layers as we move through life.

I use practising the poses, breathing and meditation, to improve my focus, and continually question my body and the different layers of myself about how I am.

Over the years I've become more sensitive to the messages my body is sending me. I've also learned a bit more about my own tendencies, physically and mentally.

I check the tension in my jaw, see how soft my belly is when I breathe in and out, and how the back of my neck and my forehead are feeling. Sometimes my eyes feel hard or bulging, or tired and gritty, my lips are turned down, or my heart beats quickly.

When I ignore or put off doing anything about these signals, my body starts to increase the intensity of the sensations. One example is when my jaw gets really tight and my teeth start to ache, especially in the mornings.

Once I give myself what I need- it might be meditation, breathing, yoga poses, a walk, good company, good food, good music or journalling, I notice the changes. They help me to help others and live a happy and productive life.

I hope for you that when you start or continue this process of getting to know yourself, whether through yoga or another mindful practice, that you too can learn to listen to the wisdom of your body - even if like me your teeth are aching at you to take notice!

Big hugs,

Gretchen