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Feature Photo: adria.richards

So most everyone has heard about yoga and its benefits by now. Same with Pilates; possibly Tai Chi. Ok, a little fuzzy on the benefits. And possibly don’t really know what is actually involved with any of them.

But definitely have read an article or two about yoga. Or saw the cover of a magazine that talked about it. Heard some friends talking about a magazine with a cover that talked about it. Definitely that–at least.

Not to worry, you can pull your head out from under the couch of which you have buried it in shame for not really understanding all of this alternative mumbo jumbo. It is OK.

Smile. Breathe. That’s all it really comes back to anyway, the breath. You can do that, I promise. Can’t get too far into your day without it.

Most of us understand the concept of our physical being. It is our body, our aches and pains, our ability to walk, lift things, have skin that keeps all of our internal organs…well, internal.

And we understand our mind–it’s what we think with, how we speak, where our emotions stem from, how we play word games, send messages to our bodies to move around, type on a computer. The two work together almost inexplicably. But there is another component that some of us deeply believe in, others not so much. And that is the energetic body.

Part of the reason why the idea of an energetic body is hard to understand for most people is because we can’t see it, touch it, or until recently, prove that it exists.

Did I lose you yet?

Part of the reason why the idea of an energetic body is hard to understand for most people is because we can’t see it, touch it, or until recently, prove that it exists. We in the west are big believers of proof we can get our hands on, scientific method, etc., etc.

The History Of Energy

But the reality is that most other cultures which have been around for thousands of years, such as the Chinese and Indian cultures, and also in the Egyptian and Greek cultures, have all recognized an energetic component to the self.

It’s only since the advent of science as we know it (just a couple of hundred years ago) that energy as an aspect of being human has been taken out or left to religious/spiritual purposes.

So essentially what practices like yoga, pilates, tai chi, qigong, meditation, etc. do is work with our energetic (sometimes referred to as spiritual) body.

Yes, your physical body will start to look different, and your mind will probably be a bit more calm, and this is really just a perfect example of what HOLISTIC truly means (everything that affects a person’s energy affects their body and their mind).

This goes for anything and everything we do–affect one system, affect them all–we usually just don’t think about it that way. So when you are running to get your body in shape, many people achieve the state of the “runner’s high.” We often think this pertains to the brain, but it is also has an effect on the chi (energy) of the person. You’re starting to get it…

Why is it important to think about our energetic body? Well, partly because we have been ignoring it for most of our life by not knowing about or believing in it. Its feelings are hurt. It needs extra love and attention so that you will get back into its good graces.

Sweet, Sweet Rewards

I promise, as you do, it will reward you with a calmer state of mind, better health, and an understanding that there is something deeper and more important than just our appearance or how fast we can type. It’ll help you deal with those annoying, nonresponsive “uh huh” replies from your boyfriend, not giving the perfect “big” presentation, and knowing that there is more to life than having a portfolio that gives you wiggle-room for a summer share in the Hamptons.

Photo: Nina Fry

Often people start yoga or Pilates to get in shape, improve their flexibility, or somehow benefit their health. It takes most people time and practice to realize they are getting much more than whatever their reason was for starting.

A feeling of being grounded, going inside, and understanding the concept of inter-connectedness (even if a person isn’t religious) is what ends up being the sweet unexpected reward.

Tai Chi and Qigong are Chinese practices that focus specifically on moving energy through the body and opening up energy blockages (acupuncture is a physical, needle-focused form of these practices).

The body is moved and the hands are used in specific sequences for certain actions in the body. Not only do these practices make the average person feel calmer by the end of a class or session, but they are also being used as conjunctive therapy for cancer patients going through the traumatic aspects of chemotherapy and radiation.

Our energy gets “stuck” very easily by stress, or sitting in front of a computer all day and not moving, being caught in traffic, and dealing with your upstairs neighbor’s Friday night’s decision to blare heavy metal music starting at 12am.

Check out a beginner yoga or Pilates class, maybe Google a video of Qigong (oh look! I did it for you) and see what feels good to you. From personal experience it took me many years to fully start enjoying yoga, and that was only once I felt as if I was practicing in a non-competitive environment. Other people love it day one.

Point is, give yourself some room and try any of these energy-based practices out a couple of different times and places. It won’t take long for you to start noticing a difference in other parts of your life.