Stillness

Sometimes I find there are moments when the universe aligns and there is a change of sorts. Not necessarily good or bad but a shift.  I feel like I walk through a doorway into some new state of being. When these moments happen I know that I am headed in the right direction and I have been  given the doorway to pass through.  It is difficult to describe this sensation.  all I can say is that it happens in stillness and if I close my eyes I can see my self relaxing back into an invisible wave.  I realize in comparison to my earlier Blog entries this sounds a bit out there, but I think it is important to remember that sometimes through stillness comes movement.

Being in New York City movement is essential and stillness is a luxury, but movement does not always bring advancement.  I had a session tonight that brought me back to the importance of stillness.  I sometimes forget this.  Stillness like quiet air can be scary. Sometimes chaos is more comforting for in it we are busy - too busy to think too busy to feel.  Slowing down can be scary and painful, but is always necessary.  

As a Pilates instructor I need to get a sense of where my client is at emotionally and physically within the first few moments of a session.  With a new client this is more challenging because I do not have a reference point.  It is extremely important that I can leave my own issues and feelings for that moment and find a stillness within myself so I can fully get a sense of where my client is.  When I can feel that the client  can also go to this place we are able to meet and amazing change takes place.  I am able to feel physically and intuitively where they need attention or change, and they too are able to provide information.  We work together on an unconscious and conscious level.  It is an amazing connection.  I learned this technique in both Pilates and Therapeutic training, but it takes practice and openness.  It is also important to note that in any good relationship each person involved has to put in the effort and meet part way and when that happens an amazing transformation can take place and movement begins to happen.

Exercise in stillness - the body scan

• Lie on the floor eyes closed (unless this is too scary in which case focus on one thing in the room)
  
• Begin with the feet and think about each area of the body notice and tension and just acknowledge that it is there
  
• Where there is tightness begin to breathe into it.  Sit with it. Sense if it is needed or not if not try to release the body enough that the tightness or pain begins to dissipate. 
  
• Work all the way up to the top of the head and then continue to breathe 
  
• Remain in this position as long as you feel you need 
  
• To come back into your body reverse the scan with small movements first in fingers and toes, then limbs, then head and neck, and finally turning to your side in a fetal position before standing up