We are often being told that we can control our minds
and therefore choose what we think. This is certainly true, but is it really
that easy? And is this causing even more pressure on us not to experience
feelings that are uncomfortable or considered "bad"?
When feelings are overwhelming it can be extremely
hard to think about something positive, or on a mental level try to change
something that we are experiencing on a feeling level. In fact, changing our
thoughts, overthinking and trying to be "positive" in that moment
might actually cause resistance towards the feelings and push them away
instead. What happens when we push feelings away? They get stored in the body,
create blockages which usually lead to physical illness and imbalance. I'm sure
most of you have experienced what happens when you try to avoid a feeling. To
desperately get your attention, it will come knocking on your door even harder
next time. So how can we be-friend our feelings and learn how to be honest
and humble with ourselves instead?
Enter: Mental training through the body.
As part of my studies in wellness developement I
have had the opportunity to spend a couple of days with Tobias Tufvesson, the
owner and creator of To Be Hälso & Rehab Studio in Lönsboda, Sweden. The
energy in our classroom had never before been as focused as when Tobias spoke.
During our first coffee break, after only having had one hour of introduction
of To be life & sport, which comes from basic body awareness therapy, many
of us agreed this was by far the most interesting subject we had had.
Tobias asked us: what is the least you can do in order
to be present with your feelings?
We did an exercise and stood up in the classroom,
rocking slightly side to side, leaning weight over to the right foot, then to
the left. We learned about the importance of the feet, how they are the
base and therefore create stability for the rest of the body.
Through this system it is possible to find the root
cause of the symptoms, since for example shoulder ache, back ache,
migraines or hip pain seldom occur out of the blue. This is a holistic
approach to facing and releasing stored emotions, by allowing them to surface
we can invite freedom instead.
Tobias introduced us to simple yet effective practices
to work with the body in order to become aware of and change posture, moving
patterns, breathing patterns, behavioral and thinking patterns for the better,
as they are all connected.
Instead of working our superficial muscles to look
good, we should focus more on strengthening our deeper postural muscles to
become more stable, grounded and to FEEL good. As Tobias put it: allow the
body to melt the impressions that the head can't handle on its own.
Note to self from class:
Can I let go even more?
How am I standing on my feet?
Where is my
breath?
After our last study session with Tobias I was eager
to learn even more, so I booked a private appointment at To Be Hälso &
Rehab Studio and my already high expectations were met by far. The words that
were said, the practical tools I was given and Tobias's ability to guide me to
my center after only minutes changed a lot of things for me.
The practices that Tobias taught me are now part of my
daily morning routine and so far they have worked perfectly to center myself
before I meditate. I have also noticed, only after one month of practicing, an
improvement in stability both on and off the yoga mat. My body awareness has
improved and I have started to pay attention to for example how I stand, walk,
to relax my jaw.
If you have the opportunity I strongly recommend you
to book an appointment at the To Be Hälso & Rehab studio. Tobias's
knowledge from 18 years of B-BAT - Basic body awareness, CBT - cognitive
behaviour treatment, tai chi, aikio and qi gong in combination with his ability
to read people and his humble approach, makes him one of the most inspiring
persons I have met.
It is my belief as well that you can definately choose
your attitude and learn how to use your mind instead of your mind using you.
Acceptance is the key. Still, emotional memories that are stored in the body
can most likely not dissolve only with the "right attitude". Instead
of fighting the feelings, holding on to tension which we are often unaware of, dare
to listen inwards for the answers. Dare to feel!
I would like to sum up by quoting Tobias;
"You are who you are until you are who you wish
to be."
