Physical Intelligence

Developing Our Ability to Respond to the Intelligence of Our Physical Self To Create Perfect Health and Peak Fitness

Some people are born with Physical Intelligence. Just like some people are born with musical intelligence, or business intelligence. I was born with Physical Intelligence, and yet like any inherent gift, I really did take it for granted because it came so easily and naturally to me. I was made aware of this skill because my daughter, Natalie, 21 years old, was born with almost no PI. "Mum, I have a pain in my tummy!" "Where in your tummy?" I would ask, and she would point to a large area defining her whole tummy. "What kind of pain?" I would ask. "Dull, throbbing, sharp, aching?" And she would say, "Mum, its just a pain. I don't know what kind of pain." Visits to the Doctor, though infrequent, were hard to decipher. We needed to diagnose through vague amorphous fuzzy descriptions.

I have a degree in Applied Science, a Major in Chiropractic, so my background is the human body, and nervous system. This did give me an understanding of the physical, but that on its own would not define a well developed Physical Intelligence. There is much more that contributes to its development.

PI is an intelligence that is highly attuned to the physical communication that is available to us all the time. Someone who demonstrates high PI will have crafted for themselves an exercise, diet and recovery program that really nourishes them in a very holistic way. They will know what to eat, what not to eat, that their eating requirements could change in a heart beat, what exercise to do that suits them, when is too much exercise, not enough, how much rest they need, the effects of medication, how to stretch, etc. They have the utmost respect for their physical being.

Their physical attunement will come from dedicated time in paying exquisite attention, plus application and feedback. However, as a highly committed athlete, I have seen most athletes completely override their physical intelligence, and have their mind and ego make the choices. This is the pathway to injury, illness, and breakdown. In other words being a highly physical person does not always equate to high PI. Although it is likely that someone with high PI will be very physical.

The pathway to Physical Intelligence requires disciplined practice.

We need to get our bodies moving.

Exactly what kind of movement is unique to everyone. Some people are runners, some people would be wrong to run. This first step is a process of experimentation and exploration. Your particular type of movement will bring you joy and energy. It could be yoga, martial arts, dance, walking, swimming, skipping, gymnastics, strength work...

We need to stay in exquisite listening mode.

Your body will speak to you. It does this every minute of every moment of your life. Learning the art of listening to your body is of no lesser importance as it is to learn to listen to others. Some signals are loud and easy, like the feeling of eating too much food. Although if you have been doing this for years you will be numb to the sensation. Other signals are very subtle and require focused attention and intention.

We need to learn the mind body distinctions.

Often what the mind wants is not what the body needs. I might like to lie in bed well past the alarm, but my body needs to move. My mind might want that extra piece of chocolate cake. My body tells me I have had enough. Understanding the difference between the voice of our wants versus the voice of what is needed for our health and vitality requires a rigor to personal truthfulness and a will to override the mind.

We need to learn to recover.

Rest, rejuvenation, play, sleep, laughter. All of these activities provide the body the opportunity to restore, build, and be ready for the next stage of growth. Many of us are under rested. Some of us are over rested. Most of us could do with some extra laughter and play.

We need to learn humility.

Humility towards the incredible inherent intelligence we have. Humility is required to hear the message and act. Only humility will allow us to surrender to the strong pull of your mind and ego.

Using our Physical Intelligence will allow us to achieve our perfect weight, a healthy level of fitness, an outlet for expression of emotions (as a runner, my sport provides a beautiful venue for the release of toxic emotions), a balanced diet that works for our unique needs, the ability to play, and eat without extremes of deprivation. Positive Deviants include their physical regime into the over all fabric of their life, not as an extra, but as an integrated part of their existence.

Explore with us the pathways to Physical Intelligence and how your life will be enriched as a consequence.

Where the truth lies..running as a metaphor to the deeper truth of the body's intelligence

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