My YOGIST sticky note to help me "reconnect" with my body throughout my workday
Anne-Charlotte Vuccino: “Trust your body—it knows what you need”
When I was preparing for the entrance exam to the École normale supérieure, “the body” was our topic of study. I soon became thoroughly familiar with the theories on the relationship between body and mind in classical and modern philosophy. Rather than becoming a professor, I chose to attend HEC and develop more practical skills. And those theories were relegated to a corner of my mind… Barely a year later, while leading a development project for an NGO in Benin, I was struck by a motorcyclist on a bush road.
After being transferred back to Paris, I underwent surgery, but I contracted hospital-acquired infections that were difficult to treat. The antibiotics had no effect, sepsis was looming, and my doctor told me, “If your condition doesn’t improve within three days, we’ll have no choice but to amputate your leg.” An unbearable verdict when you’re 20, and one that hits you like a bolt of lightning.
Over the next three days, my immune system finally began to fight off the infection, warding off the threat of amputation. I was familiar with all the theories about the connection between body and mind, but on that day, I experienced firsthand the power of the mind over the body. That realization had a profound impact on the course of my life.
During my rehabilitation, I also realized how important it is to listen to your body. I was still experiencing excruciating pain in my leg. The physical therapists accused me of being oversensitive, even though I was certain something was wrong. The MRI results came back: my knee was still fractured, and I shouldn’t have been able to walk at all!
Today, through YOGIST, I meet employees who suffer from physical tension but don’t ask themselves what’s causing these symptoms. They expect others (coaches, doctors, etc.) to tell them what’s wrong, even though each person is the only one who has the “history” of their own behavior, knows their lifestyle (how they move, sleep, eat, etc.), and can determine whether it might be the source of their ailments. In everyday life, reflect on your aches and pains by observing how you use your body: poor posture at your desk, shallow breathing, lack of sleep, stress, poor diet…
You’ll quickly make the connection with your lifestyle and find effective solutions on your own, without necessarily having to see a doctor. The body possesses a marvelous intelligence that we have yet to fully discover. Its reactions are unimaginable. If we adopt a healthier lifestyle—by moving, breathing, resting, and eating properly—it is capable of healing us in many ways. Your body is a temple; don’t put just anything into it!
My Post-it note
Scan your body! It’s a quick and easy way to reconnect with your body, especially since you spend most of your day “in your head.” This exercise will take no more than five minutes! While sitting, feel the contours of your feet, and visualize this part of your body. Do the same exercise by “scanning” your upper body and how it rests on your seat: your shoulders, back, and head; feel them. Continue by scanning your lower body: thighs, pelvis, and lower back.
Finally, scan your arms: are they touching any other part of your body? Are they resting on something? Fully feel these points of contact. If you’re short on time, scan just one part of your body.
