The Gift of Slowing Down

Happy Monday! I hope you all are doing well. For some folks here, school starts back today and that is the official end of summer. The last couple of weeks for me have been a slower pace than typical and I have been really enjoying them. It helped me remember and experience this quote “If we go half as fast, we notice twice as much.” This, along with the short poem here, became my message to classes this week. 

When your World Moves Too Fast — Christy Ann Martine

When your world moves too fast
and you lose yourself in the chaos,
introduce yourself
to each color of the sunset
Reacquaint yourself with the earth
beneath your feet.
Thank the air that surrounds you
with every breath you take
Find yourself in the appreciation of life. 

Slowing down and noticing can be difficult. We have become so programmed to go go go that when we have the chance to slow slow slow it may feel strange or unnatural. We need those times to recharge, to gain perspective and to notice. That is exactly what we did this week on the mat, we slowed down and just as it is often more challenging to go slowly and immerse yourself fully in an experience, we noticed the same can be true in the body. When we move through poses more slowly we notice all the sensations and also the attempt in the mind to “pull us away” from them. 

I made an effort to remind myself often to go slower and notice more over these last two weeks. It was a luxury I don’t often have and it truly was a gift. I noticed more evening colors in the clouds in my backyard and more different types of birds in my neighborhood. I noticed a quieting of the mind as well and a softening of judgment and the pressure to “be productive”. As a result, I found myself focusing on specific things that bring me joy; like finalizing my next RETREAT (details below). Slowing down is hard work and as a result we reap a wonderful reward. I wish you all a week of moving half as fast and noticing twice as much!