How small conscious actions create big change

On the weekend I attended a Feldenkrais workshop. Feldenkrais uses small, slow and gentle movements to rewire neural pathways so the body relearns how to move with fluidity and ease. The workshop was about improving balance. The focus was physical balance but the metaphor for life balance danced with every moment of the class.

What I (re)learned

Life changes (probably more accurately we change) when we take the time to slow down, and become aware of our physical self and how it is positioned in the world.

Making slow and deliberate movements can create big changes.

Confusion is a good thing, embrace it. If it becomes overwhelming, take a break (or at least a conscious breath) and then try again. Being confused is part of the learning process.

It is important to laugh at ourselves. No matter how confused or incapable we may feel or how much our bodies don’t seem to follow the simple instructions, there is comedy to be found. Laughter is a beautiful release from the tension of the judgements we can hold. You know the ones – “I can’t do that”, “I will never learn that”, “I am so uncoordinated”. You get the idea.

We can learn a lot from children. We can relearn what we understood was important as a child. Play is important and rolling on the ground can be a lot of fun.

Always go back to the breath. Take a moment to notice the slow, gentle movement of your rib cage as you welcome air into your lungs and release it with gratitude back to the earth. So amazing.

I invite you to:

Slowdown.

Next time you get up to walk really notice what it feels like to rise, notice every movement you make as you start to walk. Really notice how you move, how your body feels and how you interact with the world around you.

Take time to play. Remember what was like to be a child and just rediscover what it feels like to move joyfully, playfully.

Be amazing,

Alison

p.s. The photograph is from years ago when I was in Nepal and this little guy came to play. I was lying on my back (as tired hikers do) and he jumped on me giggling in that contagious way. It is the perfect photograph to remind me what play looks like and more importantly feels like.