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20-20-20 Practice to Avoid Aging

Aster DaisiesI was just remembering a little practice that is so helpful when I am sitting in front of a computer or driving for an extended time. My eyes dry out and I start squinting and rubbing them, creating redness and perhaps wrinkles.

The 20-20-20 practice is to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. It is amazing (BTW, if driving, wait until you stop!). I feel like if you can look out in nature it’s even more rewarding, the expansiveness creates an expanse in my framework, my joints open, my breath becomes slow and meditative.

Try it and let me know what you think. And please pass this interesting little tidbit on to others you may think could benefit.

AND…

For other ways to keep from aging and bring some calmness in your life…try our Fall Group Class:  “Finding Unexpected Ease in How We Do Anything”  Thursdays, 10-12 pm – Starting September 11. For more information:  http://karenloving.com/group-classes-moving-medicine/

 

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General info

Where do I find “patience”?

The challenge of patience; I’ve been exploring the places where I notice patience in my life. Patience, to me, means a time to discover where I have choices.  A pause in my daily activities where I can be quiet and listen to what would be the most healthy and loving choice I could make for myself and for others. Being patient with myself first, and pausing to realize I have a choice in all that I do, and in every word I say.  This quiet patient listening to all that is around me and going inside to reflect on how to move forward with kindness and service. I notice when I’m in Montana where the energy is very calm; people are not rushed.   There is a very strong connection to the natural world in a very accepting way. This responsibility to the natural world teaches us to pause and be patient. To be patient as the seasons change, as the leaves and flowers unfold.  In the natural world, there is only “patience”.

 

This inquiry into my world of  “patience” reminds me of the work and discovery that F. M. Alexander embarked on 103 + years ago. He quietly watched the way he moved his body to see what could help him alleviate his problem of being hoarse when he spoke.  He realized that a more natural way of moving, breathing, speaking could create more ease in his whole musculoskeletal system, and that he might be doing more or creating more effort than was natural.  He didn’t intend to create this amazing method of self-care, now known as The Alexander Technique.  He was discovering that when he became  present, patient and quiet enough with himself; he became more aware of his very fine movements of breathing, standing, seeing, bending, and he discovered that when he paused and was patient with how he made these choices there was ease in his body and improvement in his voice and speaking. My wish is that we can all find periods of quiet presence and patience in our days that sometimes feel more rushed than is healthy; however, knowing we have a choice gives us hope of remembering our natural movement, our connection to the natural world where we can always experience “patience”. Come explore the Alexander Technique principles that can take you deeper into your own sense of awareness and conscious choice.    

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Retreats

Accepting and Adapting – the Weather?

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Have you noticed that in this “Winter of 2014”, that most of the snows have showed up on Monday evenings or Tuesdays?
I have especially been aware of this because I travel on Tuesdays to my office in Warrenton. My clients and I talk or email (every week):
what to do next, travel, not travel? Reschedule, what day, time?

Last week, we just ignored the snow and met as if it was a warm sunny day. My plan according to the weather last night was, snow showers and then rain, not so – we couldn’t pretend today….so another day to reschedule and hope that this is the last “Tuesday snow” of the “Winter of 2014”.

I was remembering how it is in Montana, where we travel quite often. They get snow starting in October and sometimes in the higher elevations, into June. That is a long time to have snow on the ground. My observation is that they accept the weather as it is and very seldom close schools, reschedule appointments, open late. You see the children playing outside when it’s 30 or below and snowing. I guess your entire way of thinking about the winter weather is adapting and accepting.

Will we adapt to winter in a new way? I wonder? Our experiences go deep if we have always lived in a moderate climate, it starts at an early age, and you anticipate the seasons to be the way they have always been. Can we accept the changes?

The weather is a great teacher in learning acceptance, (side story), we used to fly a hot air balloon and if the wind was blowing a certain speed we didn’t fly, period! This is a true example of acceptance of the weather and what is. The reality of being in the air and at the mercy of the weather was much more extreme than your car sliding off the road in snow.

How much will we remember about the “Winter of 2014” that will still be held in our experience when we go into the “Winter of 2015”?
Hope they come on Fridays!!

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