Simple Moves = Plenty Magic

In the exercise classes I’ve been teaching it’s clear that for most people the most access to growth, to goodfeels, to magic, is in the simple moves. I give permission and direction to do less and pay attention more, to breathe, to let the less adept, weaker, tighter parts out to play. I learned to focus on what seems simple from my teachers who learned from their teachers. Some students do it, some don’t. Sometimes I do it, sometimes I don’t.

I’ve learned that in real life, not just exercise, it’s the basics, the simple moves, that have the highest return on investment. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, rest, sleep, healthy body, mind, social, spiritual, service stuff, repeat. And the right amount and frequency of all of the above. Morning and bedtime ritual.

Keeping consistent with these simple elements, without getting rigid about them, is the golden ticket for me.

When I’m in a centered, buoyant space all that comes pretty naturally, without effort. Then the add-ons, the special stuff, the extras have room to come in and bring joy.

When I’m over/under on the basics, or re-calibrating the dosage of the basics because life, then the special stuff, the fancy moves, the things that are supposed to be a treat, a thrill, don’t feel like a treat. They feel like a burden, a depletion, a should.

As my own teacher and guide, I know that I feel better when I focus on the simple moves, the basics. Then opportunities for more pizzaz come in without any effort on my part, and I can choose whether or not more or different would actually be an upgrade for me as I am in that moment.

Or is my default shiny = good, active = good programming hurling me into living in a way that isn’t as joyful as it could be? Doing more and getting less out of this life?

It’s humbling to realize that what I thought I needed and what I actually need are not the same. It’s also a  relief. It takes much less stuff, less effort, less energy than I thought it did to be okay, to be at peace.

When I go for the pizazz first, rather than the simple first, it doesn’t turn out as joyfully as I hope or think it will. When I go for the basics first, I’m awed by how grateful I am for my life as it is, how I can allow myself to feel satisfied, full, and relaxed right now. How I can allow myself to enjoy that feeling, to practice enjoying the feeling of being relaxed. I’m gonna keep going.