Focus Shifting

One meditation practice I have been exploring this year is a body based system of sitting with what is. For me, slowing down enough to be in the present moment is very important. This meditation style encourages looking closely a circumstance, then pulling back to a more diffused focus, zooming in, pulling back, breathing through the entire process.

In the exercise world we sometimes become so goal driven that we forget to look at the bigger picture. Or, we dread some part of our workout to the point that we expend a tremendous amount of energy avoiding it, when we could have engaged with the parts of the workout we like. What's more, pinpoint focus for too long distorts our vision and becomes counterproductive.

I have found that being present for aspects of my own physical practice that I don't like, (ie., the learning process for complex form work, or high heart rate training sandwiched between client sessions) shortens the duration of the discomfort, and allows me to move into a state of enjoyment or flow much faster. Further, just a moment or ten of full presence prevents me from tunnel visioning myself into a cage; the cage of only doing what the tunnel vision allows for, which inevitably will render me out of balance and weak.

I make a daily practice of looking at what I want to achieve, then I look at how that piece fits into the big picture of my exercise program or of my life, depending on the context. Thus far, this practice is helping me move through the tough stuff with blinders off, knowing that the hard moments will pass, and if handled properly, will transform into strength, in every sense of the word.

How might this practice work for you?