Getting Results: Preparing (part 1)
“The early bird gets the worm” is a cliché that likely we have all heard and is also a familiar sight in our yards and parks at this time of year as robins, and many other insect-eating birds, gather worms, grubs, insects. I notice how a robin hops along the ground, cocking its head, pausing, poising itself in readiness, and then jabs the ground with its beak, capturing a wiggly worm who is slowly extracted from the earth with a suspended tug by the robin…success! As always, I learn from the natural world. This brings to mind Irmgaard Bartenieff, dancer, physiotherapist, and dance-movement therapist. A student of Rudolph Von Laban, and teacher of Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen (founder of BMC®), Irmgaard was a visionary of movement training, rehabilitating many people affected by polio. Those of you who have studied with me have at some point or another encountered the Basic Six or Bartenieff Fundamentals (BF).Embedded in BF is Irmgaard’s principle of preparation and initiation determine the action. In order to obtain a particular result, Irmgaard stated there are two prerequisites: proper preparation as well as correct initiation. How do you prepare for a movement class or a hike or a conversation with a friend or planting your garden? Take some time considering this…. .
Frequently our preparation is in the background, meaning we don’t really ‘think’ about it because it’s so familiar or ‘automatic’. But are we really prepared? We’ve likely all had the experience of getting to work barely on time, because the traffic was busy or a last minute call tied you up. Yes, you are at work, but are you prepared? My guess is that you are still ‘arriving’ even as you take up your action.When we bring conscious attention to ‘preparing’ ourselves, our whole experience can be transformed: being more present, feeling an integration of our body-mind, and a sense of openness. Being well-prepared allows us to enter a conversation or a movement sequence or a hike or… from a state of wholeness and readiness. Here are two very different practices about preparation for you to explore this month:
- Preparing for movement (~ 10 minutes)
Consider for a few moments, how you typically prepare for a movement class of your choice. Now bring more consciousness to…
- clearing your space (this helps to calm your busy mind),
- eliminating distractions (eg. mindfully turn off cell phone, make sure your pet’s needs are met),
- gathering necessary props, if needed, so that you are not scrambling mid-class in search of xyz (scrambling decreases quality of mind),
- settling your body-mind, (yes, you can rely on your instructor to offer this, but not every teacher facilitates this… and… doing so oneself ahead of time can allow you to go deeper into your movement practice),
- tune into your breathing,
- notice without judgment where/how you are in this moment
- Preparing for a coffee/tea date(~10 minutes)
Notice for yourself if/how you prepare for a casual date with your bestie (this includesdate, time, location, and might include clothing, hair, makeup). Now bring more consciousness to…
- noticing (without judgment) your emotional tone, how you feel physically, any nighttime dreams that might still linger, quality of your mind (this allows you to recognize and own what is ‘self’),
- attend to your breathing… and if you are able, try to gently hold an awareness of your breathing throughout your conversation as your breath is a reliable indicator of your ‘self’,
- bring an awareness to your cells…can you open the pores of your cells to allow more permeability? (this will allow you to be more open to yourself, as well as to your friend)
- make a conscious choice about where you sit/walk so as to minimize distractions, and to what facilitates clear interaction (walking side by side may feel more spacious, sitting face to face at a café table may facilitate more intimacy…we can make choices in all of this)
You may find other ways to prepare…please share with me thru the link in this blog post. Enjoy!
