You’re on mute.
Our always-on approach to life means that most of us have put our bodies on mute. We are consumed by thoughts inside our heads, ignoring our bodies. The Listen Method helps us to switch our microphones on and listen to our body’s sensations. This holistic approach is vital to our physical and mental wellbeing.
The Listen Method was developed by leading London-based yoga instructor Lauren Wilkie. Lauren is known for her unique and accessible approach to yoga. She infuses humour and optionality into her classes, offering her clients multiple variations of poses, encouraging a deeper and more compassionate connection with the body. Her revolutionary concept links movement and meditation to create complete, interconnected awareness.
What are the results?
Lauren is determined to bridge the ever-widening gap between the mind and body. Her pioneering approach brings a sense of quiet to our busy lives, allowing us to focus on our internal cues. The result is the ability to hear body sensations, connect with them, and feel at ease.
Feel moved
Unlike most yoga classes, The Listen Method’s purpose is not to push your body to its limit,
“We do that enough off the mat,” Lauren says.
Instead, it draws on yoga’s original definition of uniting various elements of our being (the word yoga comes from ‘yuj’, which translates to ‘unite’). For Lauren, this means connecting our mind, body, and heart. Listening intently to our body helps to clarify physical sensations beyond pleasure (‘yay, this feels good!’) and pain (‘ouch, that hurts!’). It can unlock deep-felt emotions that have been ignored or resisted, showing us more of our true selves.
“We’re conditioned to suppress our emotions to be socially acceptable. The practices I use in my classes allow people to explore those emotions in a safe and non-judgemental space.”
The Five Steps of the Listen Method
Identify: hear and understand the body’s language
Engage: attend to the sensations in a non-judgemental way, rather than ignore or resist them
Trust: in yourself to identify and engage in the sensations
Decide: to adopt or adapt
Integrate: recognise those sensations in emotions, feeling at one with the body.