How do you move?

It could point toward your life balance

Allendale, MO at dusk

I've always been kind of a fast-acting kind of gal.

Once my mind is made up, I jump in (or out) with a fire in my belly and the wind at my back. Others are quite methodical, and intentional. I started to ponder today the link between our DNA and our daily choices.

The body has two types of muscle fibers: Slow twitch (type 1) and Fast twitch (type 2). Fast twitch muscles help us push, pull, and lift objects under a short (1 second-2 minutes) duration of time. They help us sprint, swing a tennis racket and jump over puddles. Slow twitch muscles are our endurance workers. They sustain workloads for 2 or more minutes, like when walking or running at any distance, gardening, cleaning house or carrying a child through a grocery store.

We are born with a personal fixed number of fast and slow twitch fibers, and the ratio never changes from what you were originally given. This is why some people take naturally to sports and weightlifting, while others can swim or bike for minutes on end. You can, however, strengthen either or both muscle types to meet your goals. Beautifully, yoga uses and strengthens both types of muscle strength. An hour-long practice with spurts of higher intensity requirements treats us to a well-balanced muscular meal.

Go back to your childhood, and compare it to now. What ratio of fast to slow twitch fibers do you think you have? 50:50 makes you the most versatile, but you may never be an Olympian because of the work involved to excel in power OR longevity to match those who were born with it.

Now expand this to be a metaphor for your life. Do you tend to move quickly and powerfully? Slowly and methodically? Or are you balanced? Me personally, I'm probably 65:35 fast to slow. Generally, I have a difficult time doing almost anything physical or mental that requires endurance, but that is why I practice, practice, practice toning those mental and physical slow twitch muscles. Sitting in meditation, walking not running, and contemplating the path before jumping in with flags trailing. This last year in particular, I've been giving my speedy side a rest and letting my slower side rise up to meet. And it feels SO good.

Being authentic to ourselves is important, and maintains diversity, but calling in support from the other end of the spectrum brings greater ease and more versatility. Consider, in what ways can you use your body to balance the mental ratio of your life?

Linville Gorge in November

THIS WEEK:

Schedule change!

Lyn's class is moving to Thursdays at 2:00 (due to an ongoing conflict on Tuesday evenings),
beginning this week and ongoing.
Those of you craving a Thursday yoga class-you're in luck!

Early Risers Yoga (6:30am) will not be meeting this Friday, 12/2.

The gifts and gear boutique is open before and after most classes. Come check it out!

Shift Class Schedule

Please claim your yoga mat. If you have a yoga mat that has been left at the studio, please take it home with you. It is important that we keep the space clean and tidy, and not act as a locker room for personal belongings.

Thank you.

Save the date!January 1, 2017

FIRST! A 2 hour mat practice from 10:30-12:30

THEN! A 1000 paper crane event with live music (fingers crossed) Begins at 12:45 and runs until...

Please join us to embark on the enormous goal of folding 1,000 paper cranes as a symbol of peace and LOVING ALL , especially the parts and people that tend to get cast aside. You may attend for as little as long as you want. Please share and invite other members of the community!

As you practice at the studio and at home, try focusing on slowing down your transitions, or moments between poses. These "bridges" are their own nuggets of mindfulness and strength waiting to be savored.

I've coined a little phrase, "there's conditioning in the transitioning", and it speaks to the importance of flowing through life, and on your mat-treating it ALL as sacred time and energy. Click on the picture to watch a demonstration I give using slow transitions. Practice moving through your day with more grace, using your core and the earth as your hand-holds. I think you'll find that the whole process becomes more enjoyable and intentional.

Final Thought:

STAY CONNECTED:

Like us on Facebook!