Moving with Attention

This post is a synopsis of the first chapter in Anat Baniel's Book 'Move into Life, The 9 Essentials for Lifelong Vitality'. The title of the chapter is; Movement with Attention - Wake up to Life.


Moving with attention is one of the nine essentials that Anat Baniel says is required to wake yourself to vitality. Moving with attention differs from automatic movement in it essential quality; it is movement done while paying close attention to your feelings, sensations, and thoughts. It requires you to be in the present moment and to be turning your attention inside yourself while doing the movement.


Research now shows that it is this  very specific way of attending to your movement creates new connections in your brain. Repetitive automatic movement uses your brain but in a limited way. Movement with attention wakes up more of your brain. Anat uses the analogy of new neural connections being like little lights; automatic movement lights up a very small part of your brain but movement with attention you can imagine a large part or your brain lighting up as new connections all over your brain are being made. 


You might ask why do I want to improve my brain or my movement. The two are so connected that when you improve one the other also improves. The quality of your movement is a manifestation of the workings of your brain. And the quality of your brain determines the quality and vitality of your life.


People who attend movement classes or have private sessions report feeling more energy, more flexible in their bodies and mind, their chronic pain slips away, their moods improve, they feel more creative and alive. Overall they feel more vital!