I've never heard a fitness instructor say this before...
I tried a new workout class last week and heard something I don't think I have ever heard before in a fitness class... the instructor asked:
"Can you move slower?"
My brain said: "What?"
My nervous system said: *sigh of relief* & "thank you."
I was brought back in time, to all of my high school lacrosse conditioning workouts, it was always about how hard and fast can you go?
Don't get me wrong, there is benefit to this, physiologically on a cardiovascular level and a mental level of surpassing what you believe is possible.
However, so often we're in a rush for one single appointment, it blurs into all that we do, and our whole lives become a rush. Our bodies are not designed to constantly be under this level of pressure and stress.
When we live this way for weeks, months, and years, we start to create neural firing that believes fast/pressure is better than slow, and rest. This is when our body takes a side step away from healing. It may get stuck in fight, flight, or freeze. Or even having a hard time resting or healing from something you'd normally heal from.
It does not need to be one OR the other, both speeds can benefit us.
Our bodies need slow and rest to process our days, to integrate, and to heal.
I invite you to check in with yourself with the following questions:
Is fast my only measure of success?
Do I have a hard time slowing down, or resting?
Is rushing or pushing hard bleeding over into other areas of my life that do not benefit, like time with my children? Or in self care time?
How can I see the benefit in the different speeds I move at?
Can I move slower?
Can I move slow enough to allow healing and integration to be a natural part of my life?
You may even put pen to paper and see just what comes up when you start to explore these questions and the idea of moving slower.
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Check out our summer specials for returning & new in-person clients below.
Later this week, I'll be sharing more about an in-person healing circle happening mid-June.Lastly, a sneak peak for you: I am working on my newest online offering behind the scenes: think daily intentional practices to anchor back to yourself, your health, and your purpose. I cannot wait to share more with you soon :)
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With love & gratitude,
Dr. Jessica