Listen to your body!

More than ever, we are bombarded with contradictory health information—from industry-sponsored studies to sensational “alternative facts,” not to mention the often absurd claims from pseudo-professionals amplified by social media.

In all this noise, what about your inner perceptions—those astonishingly accurate signals that speak to anyone willing to listen? Have we forgotten how to decode them, numbing them with creams, painkillers, and oversimplified “one-size-fits-all” solutions to complex, multifactorial problems?

As a kinesiologist, I truly believe in a holistic approach to health—for both fitness and prevention. Exercise, nutrition, and enjoyment are, in my humble opinion, the pillars of lasting health and quality of life. This global approach becomes even more effective when you, the central figure, learn to decode and interpret your body’s signals. Whether it’s hunger, fatigue, inflammation, or pain—being able to feel, localize, and articulate these sensations is an excellent first step. The next step is to act based on that information. And if you can clearly share these sensations with your health professionals, they’ll be much better equipped to help you. After all, who knows you better than you?

I'm still surprised, as a kinesiologist, when I ask my clients how they feel during or after a workout, and they stare at me wide-eyed, as if I’ve asked them to solve Fermat’s Last Theorem! “I don’t know” or “No idea” are the most common answers—usually paired with a puzzled expression at being unable to answer such a seemingly simple question.

Strangely, very few people seem attuned to their physical sensations, whether during exercise or in daily life. Kinesthesia, for example, is the conscious awareness of your body’s position and movements. Combined with other bodily sensations, it forms a kind of internal feedback system through numerous sensory receptors that help you coordinate your movements for optimal performance.

Being kinesthetic—and sensitive to your body’s inner messages—is an incredible asset when developing physical fitness. It allows for more precise adjustments to your training volume and intensity, and better alignment between your workouts and your recovery. Keep in mind: your body doesn’t understand heart rate numbers, watts, reps, or step counts. It simply responds to consistent positive stress and fatigue to optimize itself—whether cardiovascular, muscular, or neuromotor. By becoming more aware of what your body is telling you, you’ll inhabit it more fully and make it more capable of tackling increasingly complex tasks—or simply of meeting your goals, whether that’s putting on socks with ease, walking to the park, or completing a half-marathon.

Your body should not be a prison that keeps you from moving or enjoying life—regardless of pain, weight, age, or inactivity. You already have the power to take positive action—now—for your health. We’d be happy to welcome you at the Centre to support and encourage you in this journey. We look forward to helping you listen—better—to yourself.