When you think of the word body, you probably first think of the physical body. And when we talk about taking caring for our body, again, we usually refer the physical body; the bones, muscles and flesh of which we are made.

The physical body is our vessel or temple for this lifetime, and many of use take steps to nourish it. We may do this through regular exercise or by choosing a natural and wholesome diet.

The mind, body, heart and spirit are all connected, so it’s important to approach our health routine in a balanced and holistic way.

When illness arises in the physical body, it is usually a sign of an imbalance in our other 3 bodies. When something shows up in our physical body, we usually take action, ask questions and do something about it, whether that be going to the doctor, or choosing a natural alternative. But how often do we take time to “work out” our other bodies? By creating balance and building a strong foundation in the other 3 bodies, we will naturally feel strong and supported in our physical body.

The other 3 bodies include the mental, emotional and spiritual body.

There is more to us than just our physical body.  If we can learn from it, the physical body is an amazing  teacher and an obvious teaching that nothing is permanent and that everything is ever changing. When the physical body changes (ie: our body size or weight changes, we break a leg, get sick, etc), there is a part of us that doesn’t change, which always remains the same. It is not always easy to recognize this truth, but the more we increase our awareness and strengthen each of our 4 bodies, the more we are able to live our life holistically, with less of a focus on solely the physical body.

When is the last time you did a work out for your emotional, mental or spiritual body?

I have included a few tips below on how to to build or maintain a strong physical body. When it comes to holistic nutrition, our intention is to build a strong foundation in all 4 bodies, with the spiritual body being at the root or core. By acknowledging our spiritual body, we acknowledge and connect with our true essence and all universal energy.

Tips for strengthening the physical body

Follow a wholesome, natural food diet. Choose whole grains, fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and quality protein. Eat locally and seasonally, get to know who grows your food and ask a lot of questions.

Eat more leafy greens and raw foods, focus on an alkalizing diet.

Stay hydrated. Drink at least 2 litres of purified water each day.

Move! Get outdoors! At least once a day, do some sort of movement, whether that be an exercise program, taking a walk or swim, dancing around your house or yoga.

Yoga asanas (poses) specific to strengthening the physical body include Goddess pose, warrior series, core strengtheners like boat and plank, and tree pose.