There are countless ways to relax your mind, but when I first started this journey, the idea of sitting on a meditation cushion in total silence was unthinkable. My mind was in constant turmoil. I needed a different path to find peace, and I found it through the power of movement.
Nature, Movement, and the lessons of the Puppy
After my burnout, a new member joined our family: a puppy named Vita. Vita didn’t care if it was raining or if I didn’t feel like getting out of bed. She needed to move.
I quickly learned a vital lesson: dogs show us exactly what our own bodies need, even when we’ve learned to ignore those signals. If a dog doesn’t get enough movement, your house will be “demolished”—and your mental state often follows the same pattern. On the days I took a brisk 30-minute walk in nature with her, I felt more at ease for the entire day.
Pro Tip: If you are walking around with a “full head,” get outside. Even a small change—like walking to the station instead of taking the bus—can trigger the relaxation your mind craves.
Finding Balance through Critical Alignment Yoga
A few years later, I discovered yoga. Because I was still “afraid” of anything too spiritual, I chose the most technical, anatomical style available: Critical Alignment Yoga.
At first, I thought it was entirely physical. It focused on bones, alignment, and sometimes even a bit of healthy discomfort. But the transformation happened faster than I expected:
- Month 1: I was hooked, attending twice a week.
- Month 2: My physical pain vanished; my back felt stronger and my shoulders finally dropped.
- The Shift: Soon, the physical became mental. My teacher guided us toward conscious belly breathing and grounding. These practices went far deeper than the surface—they changed my life.
Qi Gong: Returning to Your Natural Energy
Two years ago, we hosted a Qi Gong retreat. I decided to join a class during a break from cooking for the group. What looked like simple, slow movements turned out to be incredibly powerful.
I felt the energy in my body begin to swirl, my mind instantly relaxed, and my breath deepened. It was so impactful that I completed a Qi Gong teacher training last year. Now, I practice at least twice a week to return to my natural state of flow. Movement isn’t just about fitness; it’s the key to a quiet mind.
What kind of movements relax your mind_
WI have friends who relax while dancing. Not just at parties, but when they notice they are stressed, they put on their favourite songs and dance the stress away. Others sing along with their favourite songs. Running is known to be relaxing, although my body does not agree with that, but everybody can find some kind of movement to relax themselves. What movements do you do to relax? Please tell me in the comments!
2 thoughts on “Movement for a Relaxed Mind”
I love this so much!
I think it is so important to notice meditation while sitting is not for every human or phase of life the right thing.
For me it is somatic shaking and breathing practice. I also LOVE these priming practices of Tony Robbins, which are very active too.
I alsooo love Critical Alignment Yoga and can totally relate that it is a very practical way to connect with yourself in a deeper way too!
Thank you for sharing this <3
Thank you so much Iza, I also love your shaking sessions. If you have a link for these sessions, you are welcome to put them here so other people can connect as well. Love Helen