Use Body Awareness and Run Injury Free!

Body awareness connects you with your innermost self allowing your body to intuitively correct problems. Using the mind and body connection, you will discover how to improve movements and remove limitations in mobility. With enhanced awareness, you can learn to let the body heal itself, keep it healthy and run injury free.

We have much more control over the health of our bodies than we originally believed. We just need to learn how to harness the power of the mind and body connection.

When we experience pain such as a stressed muscle during a run, we often resist the sensation and turn our attention away from the area. We try to ignore the signals that our body is sending to us. If we create resistance, the condition usually gets worse and develops into an injury. However, if we give full non-judgmental awareness to our body and the source of our pain or ache, our body will respond in a positive way. It will change to meet its needs or release what it is holding avoiding the necessity to send further signals. 

Acceptance of how your body is feeling rather than rejecting running pain activates positive energy and promotes healing. I have practiced this technique many times while running and I can validate its effectiveness.  Sometimes it is necessary to repeat the process more than once, but with continued focused attention, you will experience positive results. When a particular pain is stubborn, continue to give that area of your body full attention until the discomfort goes away and you can enjoy running injury free!

The Many Benefits of Body Awareness

There is a strong connection between the mind and body.  Increasing your awareness will develop and strengthen this connection, proving to be beneficial physically, emotionally and spiritually.  

Awareness promotes living in the present moment, rather than focusing on the past or the future.  As runners, we know how detrimental it can be to focus on the distance remaining to run rather than where we are right now.  As we develop and practice awareness, we become more mindful of our bodies as we learn to live and run in this moment.  

Become a more efficient runner

Developing awareness of the body improves concentration and will help you learn How to Relax while Running. As you become more aware of the areas of your body that are tense, you will be able to consciously relax them. A relaxed runner is an injury free runner.  

With the healing benefits of a body awareness practice, running will become pain-free. You will be able to utilize your energy more effectively and run more efficiently. You will feel an overall sense of well-being as you become more in tune with your inner-self and the pleasures associated with being in the present moment. 

The following video, which is a short guided body awareness meditation, will help you begin a body awareness practice.

Want to learn more?

Try our Guided Running Meditation: Beauty and Body Awareness to practice a guided body awareness meditation while running and get the full benefits of awareness while running. 

There are other methods that we can use to develop awareness of our bodies. One that I practice and have had much success with is the Feldenkrais Method. This method teaches awareness through whole-body movements and proves that it is possible to heal chronic injuries.

Barefoot Running is another way of increasing awareness of the body. Runners receive instant feedback through their feet increasing awareness of how their body moves. They focus more—developing a stronger mind and body connection. The body reacts naturally and barefoot runners instinctively run softer on the forefoot.

Back to Top of Page

Return to Feldenkrais for Runners

1. Home
2. Feldenkrais for Runners
3. Body Awareness

Print this page

FTC Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying  purchases.
Learn more.

Recent Articles

• 

1. Running with the Hash House Harriers

   Jun 05, 23 08:13 AM

   
   If you have never trying running with the Hash House Harriers, you could really be missing out on a great adventure!

   Read More

2. Second toes black nail

   May 09, 23 10:58 AM

   I would appreciate any idea or tip(s) so as to overcome second toe black nails on my right and left foot under certain circumstances. Given the following:

   Read More

3. A Common Barefoot Running Injury

   May 01, 23 02:20 PM

   
   This common barefoot running injury can be avoided when you know the cause and how to prevent it. And I know this from experience!

   Read More

4. How to Overcome Race Performance Anxiety

   Apr 14, 23 01:27 PM

   
   How does race performance anxiety affect you? Are you feeling excited and looking forward to the race you’ve been training for, or do you just wish it was over?

   Read More

5. Where to run in Hurghada, Egypt!

   Apr 04, 23 06:14 AM

   
   Running in a new area is both exciting and a little scary. What will I see during this run? What will I discover? Hurghada kindly provided a few surprises and a hidden 'trail'!

   Read More

6. The Best Way to Carry Your Phone While Running!

   Mar 21, 23 11:51 AM

   
   Do you wish there was a simpler, more discreet way to carry even your large phone while running? Are you frustrated with phone carriers for runners that are bulky and uncomfortable?

   Read More

7. The Link Between Nutrition and Exercise Performance: Healthy Habits for Runners

   Mar 08, 23 08:07 AM

   
   A nutritionally balanced body is essential to a runner’s health and performance. Enhance your overall performance with these healthy habits to support the physical pressures experienced during runnin…

   Read More

8. Develop Mental Strength for Running with Shambhala meditation!

   Mar 07, 23 04:43 AM

   
   Shambhala meditation is a simple meditation practice that can easily be used as a method of mental strength training during running. Learn how to tame your wild horse!

   Read More

9. How to Enjoy Running More!

   Feb 24, 23 11:22 AM

   
   Experts say the best way to increase the enjoyment of any experience is to change how we think while we are doing it. The easiest way to change our thoughts while running is by using positive affirma…

   Read More

10. What is the Real Cause of Running Injuries?

    Feb 18, 23 08:53 AM

    
    Another running injury? What is the cause this time--weak hip flexors, too much training, incorrect shoes, not enough stretching? Maybe we are looking in the completely wrong direction for the answer…

    Read More

×

Want to Enjoy Running More?
Download Our Free Running Affirmations Audio Set!

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name *

I am at least 16 years of age. I have read and accept the Privacy Policy. I understand that you will use my information to send me emails.

I promise to keep your email address secure and only use it to send you VIP Club Editions. You can unsubscribe at any time!