We are living in intense and volatile times. Our lifestyles demand that we move, think, make decisions, plan, and perform our tasks at an ever-increasing pace. All the while, less and less attention is being paid to our bodies. The natural flow of life-force, for which our bodies are admirably equipped, is no longer a part of our imagination.

Living more, as it were, in our heads, we become disconnected with the workings of our vital self. This kind of “disembodied consciousness” has allowed our energies to become scattered and unmanageable, and is the root of much of our pain and suffering. We move through our lives as if we consider ourselves to be separate from the natural and solar world in which we are embedded. And yet, where else are we?

This disconnectedness manifests in the body in many different ways. The various organs, including the heart, are being asked to work faster, and breathing has become labored and constrained, leading to a lack of energy in the hands, feet, arms, back, and muscles in general. The blood flow has become constricted. The lymphatic fluid, which is primarily responsible for the development of the immune system, is not circulating properly.

Further, when we are not mindful of the sensations coming from our bodies, we can multiply the problems caused by common conditions such as lower back pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep disorders, and stress.

Now your body is certainly not a carcass, simply connected to your head. It is a powerful vehicle for your health, well-being, and wakefulness. You have before you a tremendous opportunity to familiarize yourself with it.