Coming Home to the Body: Why I Move

Today I went to the gym. On average, I try to go about three times a week. But here’s the thing—I don’t go for fitness.I don’t go to lose weight.I don’t even go to build strength.

And before you ask—no, I don’t go for the eye candy either. I have that at home 😛

So why do I go?

I go because, for me, the gym is a practice of coming home to my body. It’s a practice of listening. Of tuning in. Of telling my mind to shut up—quite literally—so I can hear what my physical body is trying to say.Today was chest and throat day. And what was my body asking for?

Breathe.Accept.Allow.

The Layers We Live In

Back when I was completing my yoga teacher training (2021–2022), I was introduced to the concept of our layers of bodies: the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual bodies. What I loved most about yoga was how it taught me to move with and through those layers—giving each part of me what it needed instead of forcing anything to change. And being me (some might say a gym rat), I became curious.

Could I bring this same awareness into the gym?Could movement outside of yoga still speak in the same language?

That curiosity opened the door to something deeper—an ongoing conversation with body wisdom and body language.

What Is Body Language, Really?

When most people hear “body language,” they think of posture or nonverbal cues. But it goes much deeper than that.

Body language is your subconscious mind and nervous system communicating through physical sensation. It’s your body guiding you—showing you where you are in life and what needs your attention.Take shoulders, for example. One of my best friends taught me this, and it stuck.

If your shoulders feel achy, tight, or restricted—especially if lifting your arms past shoulder height causes discomfort—it’s often not random.The shoulders are where we carry burdens.Not always the dramatic kind—sometimes it’s just too much on your plate. Think Atlas, carrying the world on his shoulders. That’s the energetic weight stored there. So when tension shows up, your body may be saying:

“Hey… you’re carrying more than you need to.”

Yoga, the Gym, and Body Wisdom

Most people think yoga and the gym are the same thing (They’re not.).

Here’s how I see it:

• Yoga is a pathway to alignment and essence.

• The gym is a pathway to physical capacity and expression.

• Body language is the translator that keeps you honest.

When you bring all three together, you create a powerful container for growth and healing.

For me:

• The gym lets my body speak

• Yoga teaches me how to breathe, soften, and align

• Body awareness puts me in my place when my mind tries to take over

You Don’t Have to Go to the Gym

Here’s the important part. You don’t need a gym membership to hear your body.

You can:

• Go for a walk

• Dance in your kitchen

• Stretch on the floor

• Knock things off your to‑do list

Your body will still speak.

And yoga?

You’re already practicing it. From the moment you wake up to the moment you lie down at night—your final savasana—your bodies are constantly moving together. Yoga isn’t just something you do. It’s something you live.

The Unexpected Bonus

This practice has deeply supported my health. Yes, I’ve gotten stronger. Yes, my body looks fit. But those were side effects—not the goal. Most of the world moves their body with the wrong intention.

So here’s my challenge to you:

Move your body to get in tune with it.

You don’t have to exhaust yourself. You don’t have to go hardcore. Listen.Notice where discomfort shows up. And when it does—tell that mental body to be quiet.

Your physical body does not lie.

A Gentle Guide to Body Language

• Head- Mental pressure to know or know too much that needs to be shared

• Neck — Holding back your truth

• Shoulders — Carrying too much

• Arms / Hands — Fear of doing

• Chest — Not feeling emotionally protected

• Stomach — Unmet desire or stored grief

• Hips — Struggle with feeling and expressing emotions

  • Holding back creativity

• Butt / Sit Bones — Not feeling safe or content where you are

• Legs / Feet — Fear of moving forward

Your body is always speaking.

The question is—are you listening?