Sitting or lying down with your eyes closed, begin this meditative practice by noticing the sounds and smells around you, without judgment. A powerful way to practice present moment awareness and improve kinesthetic awareness is through a body scan, which can be completed anytime, anywhere. Notice the physical sensations as you work with the breath, especially any parts of the body that seem to release tension as you continue to draw your awareness to your physical being.Ģ. This technique, called a progressive exhalation, allows the body to physically relax as the parasympathetic nervous system is activated. Maintaining your inhales at a count of 4, continue to lengthen your exhales for as long as possible with each round of breath. Begin to lengthen your inhales and exhales, allowing that space to perceptibly contract and expand. Start by softening your belly and deepening your breath, so that you feel sensations all the way from the top of the chest to the low belly. Working with the breath can be a powerful tool for training the parasympathetic nervous system, releasing tension in the mind and body, and alleviating stress and anxiety. Intentionally focusing our attention mentally centers us and physically grounds us in the present moment – allowing us to show up as our most empowered selves and lead truly vibrant lives.ġ. Physical sensations we perceive through interoception include our heartbeat, breath, and any emotional effects of the autonomic nervous system – such as stress or relaxation. Applying mindfulness-based practices can enhance our ability to sense the internal state of our body, which is called interoception. Mindfulness can be defined as paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, without judgment. And finding that balance starts with focusing our attention and awareness, both physically and mentally. That’s exactly why using the breath to engage the parasympathetic nervous system supports homeostasis throughout our entire bodies. Training the parasympathetic nervous system can help protect against sympathetic nervous system dominance, which is closely correlated with chronic stress and its various effects. The sympathetic nervous system is associated with higher levels of inflammation in the body, which can contribute to a whole host of diseases and imbalances.Ĭonversely, the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for regulating common body processes, as well as restoring balance after stress reactions that increase the heart rate, raise blood pressure, and trigger inflammation. The sympathetic nervous system is activated during periods of stress, known for its “fight-or-flight” response. The autonomic nervous system is made up of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system, which have opposing functions. But when it comes to our physical well-being, we rarely think about balancing our nervous systems – which is crucial for maintaining homeostasis throughout our entire bodies.
![kinesthetic perception definition kinesthetic perception definition](https://www.paideia.ro/2671-large_default/the-tactile-kinesthetic-perception-of-the-architectural-space-alexandra-visan.jpg)
We’re all trying to find balance – between work, and life, and everything else.
![kinesthetic perception definition kinesthetic perception definition](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/27/fa/c9/27fac94827d5fe1e18f1c73df4b83348.jpg)
BALANCING THE NERVOUS SYSTEM FOR HOMEOSTASIS Proprioception, on the other hand, would involve your sense of balance and awareness of where your feet are on your mat, or perhaps where you are relative to the entire yoga studio.Īnd both of these aspects of “body sense” are important when it comes to embodiment, or present moment awareness. Think of kinesthetic awareness in the context of a yoga class – feeling the muscles that contract and expand to support your practice, noticing tension in different areas of the body, and checking your alignment as you move between poses. These two concepts are closely intertwined, but have a few key distinctions that become significant when we consider them in practice.
![kinesthetic perception definition kinesthetic perception definition](https://tostpost.com/images/2018-Mar/20/c57b82c02bc26899de980fee500aa227/3.jpg)
Similarly, proprioception can be defined as our perception of where we are in space, including our ability to balance. We move through our days at a hurried pace, focusing on the future or the past, instead of fully immersing ourselves in the present moment.īut what if we did? UNDERSTANDING KINESTHETIC AWARENESS IN PRACTICEĪt a glance, kinesthetic awareness can be defined as how we sense our body and the way it moves. Most of us give little thought to how our bodies move on a daily basis, or where we are physically in space.