Visualization

I’ve had to take a step back from intense physical movement to heal an injury lately. The movement always helped with the injury, but in order to fully and truly heal this time, I had to pause. One of the things that I’ve had two of my favorite teachers tell me is that visualizing the movement is just has beneficial as actually doing it. Now, at first that might seem a little strange, but remember, yoga is not just about the physical movement, it is so much more.

When we get to a place where we have to limit or stop our movement, the act of closing our eyes and walking ourselves through movement is still an experience of it. As a teacher, it can be east for me to guide myself. through a visualization of a yoga flow. I even remember “studying” for my yoga final (I had to teach an hour long class) and I would talk myself through my sequence to fall asleep at night for weeks. By the time the final came, I knew that sequence like the alphabet. I could feel my body moving through the shapes and transitions as I visualized it.

Perhaps it feels too overwhelming to come up with something to talk yourself through. You can put a virtual class on, find a comfortable, safe position for your body, and close your eyes. Also, it’s okay if you fall asleep! An important aside is that if you fall asleep during meditation or savasana it is because your body NEEDS to sleep. It felt safe and relaxed and was lacking some essential sleep that you needed - so it is always okay for that to happen.

Close your eyes. Visualize the movement your body needs and what would feel good. Imagine yourself moving through the motions, literally feel yourself breathing. Feel the inhales, feel the exhales. Soften the body and really allow yourself to “feel” it.

You’ll be amazed what you can feel in your body when you limit movement and visualize it.

Give it a try!