Do you have a movement practice? What motivates you to move this/that way? How does it help? For me, to move is to listen, to notice, to stimulate everything from feeling good, to joy, to better, to just okay, to strong and to feel into areas of tenderness that prompt me to heed the call to rest.

Over 25 odd years of exploring different movement modalities, from weight training, to calisthenics, to asana practice, yin yoga and many other experiments in between, I've learned - and keep learning - how to respect my body's needs. This has taken & continues to take work, with my tendencies to overthink rather than feel and a history of mean self-talk.

I'm sure others can relate to the not always so helpful application of the intellect to numb, rationalise, label, critique, explain and thereby waste away - rather than actually feel - feelings.

It's work, or rather a process, that matters. After all, our body is our primary home, the first foundation of mindfulness in Buddhism, the place where we can embody & from there extend to other bodies and beings the Yogic principles of nonviolence, compassion, commitment, friendliness, patience & humanity.

One key thing I've learned, especially from practicing Yoga and the Dharma, is to start and end every practice with compassionate inquiry, gratitude and intention - asking; how do I feel, what do I need to restore balance, how will this help me and my interactions, what more/less is required?

Movement is indeed medicine. It can rinse out physical and mental tension, transform stuck energy, calm nervous impulses and ultimately allow us to feel more at ease. It's a valuable and adaptable means to an end. The push before the yield. The effort before the release. The exhilaration before the satisfying exhaustion.