Mindfully Moving Toward Resilience

1. Moving Into Resilience

Movement is a great gift. Its scope of contribution to human resilience goes far beyond its benefit to fitness. Yogic action is defined, and its purposes are described. Impairment of movement perception and quality with chronic illness, particularly chronic low back pain, is discussed, offering additional important facets to be included in rehabilitation.

2. The Science of Resilience Relevant to Movement

Resilience refers to positive adaptation to stressors in ways that extend to the impact of physical activity at the cellular level. Mindfulness in our movement shifts our attention to more deeply sensing our movement experience. Yoga has informed much of what we now refer to as mindful movement. While mindfulness directs our attention, it is different than developing body awareness and interoception. Whether health professionals are applying these skills in personal self-care or in clinical practice, they are helpful in training to increase physical activity and deepen our mind-body relationship in ways that build resilience and well-being.

3. Experiencing and Facilitating Mindful Movement

Mindfulness enhances our sense of embodiment and enriches our mind-body relationship. We can train our attention to experience the qualitative aspects of movement in our ADLs and fitness activities as a pathway to developing better interoceptive skills. As we practice this ourselves, we can help patients become curious about the qualitative experience of their physical activities and perhaps gain insight in identifying barriers to physical activity.