The Mind Muscle Link

Psst: want the key to happier workouts and whoa results? Sync your brain and body. We’ll show you how

For many, a yoga class is the first time the mind-body connection (matching breath to movements, thinking about each muscle as it stretches or squeezes) is a major component of their workout. But the same concept can – and should – be applied to all exercise. “The ability to focus on your muscles as you work out can actually help produce more growth and strength,” says kinesiologist Dean Somerset. And being mindful of how you move has positive impacts on your brain too. While some people are born with a better mind-body sense (e.g. your super coordinated friend), practice can help you perfect yours. In time, a stronger head-to toe feedback loop leads to more power, fewer injuries and bigger mood boosts from your workouts. Use these steps – tailored for every stage of activity – wherever your sweat takes you.

Ready, set, think!

Slow down to start

Most of us carry a lot of stress in our bodies that can hinder our workouts, says physical therapist Dr Jen Esquer. You can release it by turning on your parasympathetic nervous system, which will eliminate overall tension and increase muscle activation and mobility. Here’s how: take slow breaths into your nose and out through pursed lips. As you breathe, think of filling up the space in your lower ribcage rather than your chest. Search your body for tension (like in your jaw) and let it go. This body-scanning meditation – which you can perform yourself or with an app like Headspace – helps guide you and warms up the mind-body mechanism, notes cognitive scientist Dr Sian Beilock. Keep going until you feel your muscles release and your body relax.

Visualise a perfect workout