I have been immersed in Return to Nature: The Five Pillars of Healing. The author, Jon Burras, who generously continues to advise me and provide invaluable information, suggests we use our intuition rather than our habits to guide our movement.
For me, that means listening when I hear my internal voice whispering, "Nicky, remember when you read that sitting is the new smoking? You have been reading for a half hour. It is time to get up and do a few Tai Chi moves or get on the floor and practice the "tipped turtle." Go for a short walk - after all it is a sunny 50 degree Iowa December day!"
I want to not only listen - but take action. (I have been known to set a timer for a half hour so I will move when it goes off and then when it goes off, set it again without taking action.)
No more!
Next time your inner voice urges you to move, pay attention. In the next few weeks, you will learn from Jon Burras and me why it is vital that you move, especially now that the dark days of winter are upon us.
Do you have enough movement in your life? What gets in your way of moving if you don't? What would help you get more movement into your life? What helps you move? Please share with us by sending me an email or going to the comment section.
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
Thanks for the reminder, Nicky. So spot on.
ReplyDeleteI had always avoided doing energetic forms of Qigong in the evenings thinking that I wouldn't sleep well. I had the urge to move between 7 and 8 pm, but was reluctant to listen to what my body was telling me for fear I'd toss and turn all night.
The urge became stronger, and I began practicing Shaolin Eight Treasures and Swimming Dragon at about seven in the evening...and, I am more relaxed and sleeping better at night even though these forms are pretty strenuous.
Moral of the story, question the stories you tell yourself and don't be afraid to experiment.
Becky - thanks so much for the helpful comment! I have also wondered about doing QiGong or a few Tai Chi moves in the evening. I'm glad you tried it, it helped sleeping, and that you shared with all of us.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful treat for me to hear from you!
Your blog is right on, I think we need to discipline ourselves to maintain diversity in our lives in order to live well. Diversity gives life stability.
ReplyDeleteDiversity gives life stability - that should be on a needlepoint! How wise and how true and something that is easy to overlook. Thanks Carl!
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