I'm lying on the floor counting my breaths. Inhale one, exhale two, inhale three, exhale four. I've been here for about 10 minutes. My mind is clear. I'm feeling relaxed. My stress is melting away. But…
I would like to shift my head. Tilt it to the side. And it would feel so glorious to stretch my toes right now. Just a little bit. Before I know it I've rolled onto my side, moved through a handful of gentle, loving stretches and now I'm standing - softly dancing around the room.
So, meditation fail, right? I mean, I was already pushing it when I chose to lie down instead of sitting tall. Plus I'm positive I was supposed to stay still the whole time and instead I wound up in a dance.
Except how could I call it a failure when my body felt SO much better, so much more relaxed?
And then I thought
WHO MADE THESE RULES?!?
I get it. Meditation is good stuff. It clears your mind in a way that lowers your overall stress levels and helps you make better decisions and develop better relationships. It opens a path for you to discover your zone of genius and can empower you to go after it. You can't do any of that if you're distracted and emotional and battling brain chatter all the time.
But I wanted to know - what about my body?
I've danced my whole life. I've taken ballet and tap and jazz and modern and Irish step and African and Hula. I've been to yoga and Zumba and spent time on a treadmill. I've spent a LOT of time telling my body what to do.
If finding stillness through meditation was going to help me listen to my thoughts, what was going to help me listen to my body.
On that day of meditation failure, my body was telling me loud and clear "This is how I need to move. I need to unwind some of the tension we've been through. You've been bossing me around for a long while, I need some freedom to do what feels right."
Because I listened, I experienced some of the most joyful, beautiful, authentic movement I've ever experienced.
Because I listened, I released some of the pain and discomfort I'd been having.
Because I listened, I wrapped up my "meditation" feeling refreshed and relaxed in my mind, soul AND body.
And because I'm me, I thought - I can't be the only one who needs this.
This is how the Mindfulness in Motion class was born. To me, it's the ultimate self care class: nourishment for your body, mind and soul. I hope you'll join me in class soon.