Listening to Your Body: The Wisdom Within

Let’s be real for a second - when was the last time you actually checked in with your body? Not just “Am I hungry?” or “Is my back sore?” but a deeper, more intentional pause to ask, Hey body, how are you really doing?

In today’s whirlwind of to-do lists, screen time, and high-speed living, it’s way too easy to live from the neck up - disconnected, frazzled, and running on autopilot. But here’s the truth: your body has wisdom. It’s talking to you all the time. The question is - are you listening?

This is where holistic wellness, mindfulness, and good old-fashioned self-awareness come in. Because when you slow down and listen, your body can become one of your greatest allies in healing, growth, and resilience.

Your Body Holds More Than Just Bones and Muscles

Our bodies carry our stories — not just the physical ones, but our emotional ones too. The stress we push through. The grief we suppress. The responsibilities we carry without pause. I’ve felt this myself, especially in my neck and shoulders, during times when life felt heavier than usual.

This is something beautifully explored in Bessel van der Kolk’s book The Body Keeps the Score — a work I deeply admire. He explains how trauma and stress can live on in the body long after the mind believes it's moved on. It resonates so strongly with what I witness in myself and in others: our bodies remember.

Pain and Tension: Clues, Not Enemies

Pain is so often seen as something to silence. I used to think that way too. But what if we approached discomfort with curiosity instead of fear?

Pain and tension are often our body’s way of saying:

• "I need a rest."

• "You’re carrying too much."

• "It’s time to slow down."

When we approach these sensations with mindfulness - curious, open, and without judgement - we begin to decode the language of the body. When we start asking ourselves "what is this sensation trying to tell me?", we turn symptoms into signals. That question alone will become a doorway into deeper self-awareness.

Fatigue: More Than Just Needing Sleep

There have been times I’ve felt exhausted even after a full night’s sleep. Maybe you’ve felt that too. Often, fatigue isn’t just about sleep — it’s about depletion. That sense of constantly doing, supporting others, performing, or simply staying strong can leave us hollowed out.

Sometimes, fatigue is the body’s gentle plea to come back home — to rest, to soften, to just be.

Body Scan Meditation: A Simple Way to Come Home to Yourself

Enter: the body scan. This practice is one of the most accessible mindfulness tools out there—and no, you don’t need incense, a mountain retreat, or an hour of free time.

You just need a few minutes. A quiet space. And a willingness to listen.

A body scan gently guides you through different areas of the body, helping you notice tension, ease, or even emotional undercurrents hiding beneath the surface. Think of it like a love letter to your nervous system—a chance to be present, aware, and fully you.

I often use this approach with my Low Pressure Fitness clients — it creates a safe space to simply notice, without judgement.

✨ Want to give it a try? Here’s a short video where I guide you through a gentle body scan. You can use it any time you need to come back to yourself. It’s the perfect addition to your daily self-care ritual.

And here are a few other practices that have helped me tune in more kindly and more consistently:

1. Pause and Scan: Even just one minute of checking in with you body can reveal so much.

2. Breathe with Awareness: Where does the breath flow freely? Where does it catch?

3. Move with Curiosity: Whether it’s a walk or gentle Pilates, trying moving to feel, not to fix.

4. Ask the Question: "What does this sensation need from me right now?"

   
   

A Note on Safety and Care

While tuning into our body’s wisdom is deeply valuable, it’s equally important to stay grounded in care. If you’re experiencing persistent pain, fatigue, or discomfort, I always recommend checking in with your doctor or healthcare provider. It’s essential to rule out anything medical before diving into the emotional or energetic layers.

Blending professional care with body-based awareness is where true, sustainable wellness lives.

Integrating Body Awareness into Wellness

The more we practise listening to our body, the more we begin to trust its wisdom. Whether through mindful movement, mindful breathing, or stillness, this inner tuning is a powerful act of self-care. I invite you to revisit this body scan whenever you feel disconnected, overwhelmed, or simply in need of a moment to breathe.

At Reflexions Holistic Wellness, I bring together movement, breath, touch, and compassionate dialogue to help you reconnect with your body’s signals. Whether we meet on the mat, on the massage table, or in a counselling space, you’re invited to return to your own rhythm.

Because pain, tension, and fatigue aren’t just problems to be solved — they’re parts of you asking to be heard.

Mindfulness + Pilates = The Dream Team

Mindfulness doesn’t live in a meditation cushion. It can be woven into every part of your day - especially how you move.

That’s where Pilates shines.

In our private and small group Pilates sessions at Reflexions, we focus on more than just toning abs (although, yes, that happens too). We focus on the feeling of movement - the breath, the subtle shifts, the internal awareness. It’s mindfulness in motion. And it creates a deep, lasting connection between your body and mind.

This is particularly powerful for women navigating menopause, people experiencing chronic stress, or transitions that leave them feeling out of sync with themselves. Pilates helps bring you back - to your breath, your strength, your centre.

So... What’s the Takeaway?

You are not just a mind walking around in a body. You are your body. And when you start listening to it - really listening - something shifts.

You soften. You heal. You begin to trust yourself again.

Whether you begin with a body scan meditation, a mindful counselling session, or a gentle Pilates class, know this: you’re not broken. You’re just coming home to yourself.

So go ahead - tune in. Your body’s been waiting.

Looking for holistic support that blends movement, mindfulness, and counselling?Reflexions Holistic Wellness is here for you. Whether you're in Fremantle or nearby, we offer a warm, expert-led space to support your wellness journey - mind, body, and soul.

✨ Ready to reconnect? Email Erica at erica@reflexionswellness.com.au