The Beauty of Doing Nothing

Bel Far Niente

Too often we forget to enjoy the fruits of our labor.  We aren't aware of what we've accomplished and don't revel in it.  Bigger, More, Now is a common theme in American society.  

Are you stopping every day to soak up the doing, to be aware of all you've accomplished or are you in constant motion forward? Is your workout taking you forward, literally?  Are you running,  spinning, lifting as your only means of exercise?  

  What is your workout routine doing for your mental health? 

It's time to stop and go backwards so you can stay neutral, balanced.  Gravity takes us forward all day.  Running, spinning, lifting are wonderful but we have to lengthen what we shorten to stay supple.  You can run 9 miles every day but eventually you will dry up and shrivel.  It's time to stop in a sweaty heap, lie on your belly and enjoy feeling your heart beat.  Make sure your joints get lubricated.  Twisting is essential to maintaining a supple spine.  Keep those intervertebral discs plump and juicy.  

I teach and practice power yoga that is challenging and sweaty, but I stop many times to enjoy the not doing.  I run several days a week.  I don't love it.  I have a block in my hood that is perfect though.  I run out my front door, down a hill, up a killer hill, and then enjoy stopping.  I walk a steady climb, usually lunges happen here, but mainly I enjoy my accomplishment of that killer hill during this walk.  So the first three streets are for my physical health and the fourth is for my mental health.  I do this block as many times as I can in 30 minutes.  Usually 5. 

There are so many ways to get healthy.  Start small.

It doesn't have to cost a penny either.  You say you don't have time?  I don't either.  But running out my front door and then going for 20-30 minutes is totally doable.  Chances are if you live in Atlanta, you have a block you can find to challenge yourself.  Do it twice. Try for three times the next day.  

So the next time savasana comes, don't hop up as soon as the teacher says Namaste.  Let your practice sink in.  Enjoy the not doing for 5-10 minutes minimum. In my class, it isn't an option.  I force you to relax, dammit.  

Namaste