Slow down, you move too fast…
Not words that have really applied to me over the past few years!
After three foot surgeries, I haven’t really moved quickly in quite some time…
But that’s starting to change.
If I’m on flat, even ground I can move at a reasonable pace now…
Not so much if it’s rough or uneven… but I’m working on that.
Ironically as I start to move a bit faster…
I’ve also started to slow things down a bit.
I recently signed up to do some Tai Chi for Arthritis classes…
Four weeks in and I’m really enjoying it.
That slow, steady movement…
Has a distinct sense of calmness about it.
In fact, Tai Chi is often described as meditation in motion.
With mindfulness and mindfulness meditation the idea is so slow down and become aware of what’s happening around you.
Be present…
Be in the moment…
I’ve always had a problem with this phrase.
It just sounds a bit too woo woo!
So I usually phrase it a bit differently…
Being mindful is about being aware, noticing what’s happening right now, in this present moment.
It might be a bit more wordy, but it means exactly the same thing.
Noticing what’s happening right now…
In this moment.
The easiest way to do this is by tapping into your senses…
You can tap into all five…
See, hear, smell, taste and touch.
Or just in to one or two of them…
Whatever is easiest for you.
For me, I like to notice what I can see, hear and feel.
When I stop and really notice what’s going on…
Automatically I feel a sense of calm.
I feel very grounded…
Mentally and physically aware of, and connected to the current, or present, moment.
Well I’ve discovered Tai Chi is very much aligned to this too…
Each movement is gentle, with a sense of flow from one movement to another…
So you are very aware of it…
And mindful of how you are moving…
How your body is moving…
Your focus is totally on the movement…
Meaning you are automatically very present.
I love it!
So in the great lyrics of Simon & Garfunkel’s 1966 feel-good song Feelin’ Groovy…
Slow down you move too fast…
You got to make the morning last…
And I now have a new routine to help me do just that!
Ba da da da da da da… feelin’ groovy…
Ann 🙏