The Subtle Movements Within

Something I’ve learned to tune into and keep being reminded of over my years of practice is that our bodies are never still. Even when we ‘come into stillness’ during yoga, there is a whole world of movement happening within.

What amazes me is that there can be ten people in the same room, paused in the same asana, each of us will have a completely different experience of that posture.

When I say that we are still moving during a ‘moment of stillness,’ I’m referring mostly to the breath. If we find calm in a pose, our breath often mirrors that calm, slowing down and lengthening. By contrast, if we feel discomfort or unease, the breath may become shallow and quick.

​Our breath influences the fascial networ​k, surround​ing, supporting, and integrating every muscle, organ, and system in the body. With every breath, the diaphragm moves like a pump, sending waves of motion through the fascia. This ripple affects not only our physical shape and posture but also the way sensory information is processed throughout the nervous system. In this way, the quality of our breathing literally changes how we feel, how we move, and how we perceive ourselves and the world.

The empowering part is that this process works in both directions. Just as stress or discomfort can speed up the breath and tighten the body, consciously slowing the breath​, especially the exhale​, can send signals of safety and calm to the brain. This activates the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing muscles and fascia to soften and lengthen. In yoga, this can help us release resistance, deepen into a posture, and experience it with greater ease, tuning into other subtle movements and shifts.

​This is also the case of the mat, how we breathe and how we hold ourselves throughout the day shapes not only our physical body but also our inner wellbeing. Shallow, hurried breaths can reinforce stress and tension, while fuller, more mindful breathing can restore balance, presence, and resilience. The awareness we cultivate in yoga​ of breath, posture, and the subtle movements always unfolding within us​ becomes a resource we can carry into daily life.