
One Day…
I’ve been diligently doing my Warm-Up all week (See Part 1 for the full explanation and examples). And what an interesting week to take on this experiment. For various and intersecting reasons, this has been a week filled with anxiety for me, a gnawing sensation at the pit of my stomach. In fact, just writing about it, I’m feeling it well up again. How interesting.
But the warm-up has provided a remarkable reprieve. Oh, it feels good to move. Oh, I can breathe. Oh, no I’m not wearing armor—I’m flexible, malleable, awake. And while I’m sensing all these things, I’m NOT sensing the “fear and loathing” that have been my companions the last few days.
Another Day…
The warm-up sort of did itself. I didn’t really feel like doing it. I wasn’t motivated. I had other things on my mind. And before I know it, I find myself lying face down on the floor, lengthening each leg and allowing the breath to move all the way down to my pelvis. Oh, so this is happening. Much better than what I had intended (i.e. get straight to work because I don’t feel like warming up).
And yet Another Day…
Sunday afternoon at 2:30. I’ve been up since 5:30 am and taught all morning. This is my least productive time of day. But this is the time of day I have, so I’m valiantly trying to buckle down and finish this blog and a million other things on my to-do list.
Warm up? What was that about? Did I do anything today that could count as a warm-up? I took two walks. I made that epic to-do list. I Paused. Blew some Feathers. Lightened UP. These are good things. The most essential, in fact. But not quite what I intended when I suggested I do a daily warm-up for a week. So maybe now would be a good time to STOP and…
check to see if B. got cat food?
NO!
have a snack?
NO!
…
I’m back. I got myself down on the floor and loosened everything up for about nine minutes. I don’t feel like a new person. But I do notice I’m breathing more. I also notice that my hip and head aren’t currently aching, the way they were before. My fingers are moving faster over the keys. Actually, I feel quite a lot better.
The hardest thing for me is not finding the time. That’s a handy story, but it’s really not true. The hardest thing is the RESISTANCE. Because actually taking the simple, straightforward steps that would make me function better is still SO HARD.
So I invite you once again to join me. To continue to find ways to pause and re-tune ourselves. To continue to find this process challenging and rewarding and worthwhile. How’s it going for you?
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