The Importance of the Body in the Five Branches of Health

Health is more than just the absence of illness – it is a holistic interplay of various aspects of our lives. In her book Mindful and Strong, Nicola Jane Hobbs describes the five branches of health that help us lead a fulfilling and balanced life. One of these branches is the body. But it's not just about being physically fit; rather, it’s about having a healthy relationship with our own body. In this blog post, we explore how we can reconnect with our body, better understand it, and build a deeper connection with ourselves through yoga.

More than Just Fitness

When we think about the body, the first thing that often comes to mind is physical fitness – a well-toned body that meets the ideals seen in magazines. However, Nicola Jane Hobbs makes it clear that it is about more than just outer strength or appearance. A healthy relationship with the body means accepting it and making peace with it, rather than constantly criticizing or optimizing it. A negative relationship with the body can lead to problems such as eating disorders or low self-esteem. In contrast, a positive attitude promotes self-love and well-being. It’s about seeing the body as our ally – a home in which we live, not something we need to constantly change.

Reconnecting with Our Body

The task of reconnecting with our body might sound simple at first, but many of us have lost this connection. In a world that places so much value on appearance, we are often alienated from our bodies and ignore its signals. Exploring the body means becoming mindful – listening to its needs and consciously perceiving it. This can happen through simple exercises, such as a body scan, where we direct our attention to different parts of the body, or through a journal in which we record our physical sensations and the emotions connected to them. This process helps us form a deeper bond and understand the body not just as a shell, but as a part of ourself.

Yoga as a Path Back to the Body

Yoga offers a powerful way to restore our connection to the body. Through the physical exercises, called asanas, we learn to feel our body, recognize its strengths, and respect its limits. The conscious breathing in yoga helps us arrive in the present moment and calm the mind. But yoga goes far beyond the physical: it also opens us to our emotions and allows us to discover deep truths within ourselves. By practicing regularly, we can learn to perceive and embrace emotions, rather than repress them. In this way, yoga becomes a bridge that connects body, mind, and soul, helping us find peace with ourselves.

The body is a central pillar of our health, and it is worth giving it more attention – not just through fitness, but through mindfulness and acceptance. By exploring it and returning to it with tools like yoga, we can build a harmonious relationship that strengthens and fulfills us. Let us walk this path together and celebrate our body as the home it truly is.

A beautiful example of the connection between body awareness and yoga is the asana Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog). I painted this image in 2009 – it reflects my personal exploration of physical practice and the inner journey that yoga makes possible.