Throughout my growing up stages, the emphasis had been on going slow! “Eat slowly, chew every morsel.” Or “Walk slow, don’t crush those flowers on your path.” Or “Speak slowly, catch your breath.” Or “Slow down, will you? Let me enjoy your childhood why do you want to grow up so soon?” Or “Slow down, don’t be so harsh on yourself, you have not taken a real break in a long time.” It was all about slowing down and catching your breath.
As I grew up, I discarded the advise of going slow, as it meant wasting my ability to speed up my achievements. And so the phase where being fast seemed to be the only choice entered my life. “Quick! put your ideas out before someone else thinks them!” Or “Quick! tell him how much you love him before you loose him.” Or “Quick! enroll for that course before the slots run out.” Or “Quick! buy that property before the prices go up.” It was all about running to get what you wanted before you missed out on them. It was all a phase of fear based living which I realize now.
Recently as I participated in yoga with a group of beautiful friends, I realized most of the movements that were covered during the session, were what I had practiced as part of my aerobic exercise routine in my teens. Or rather during my ‘Quick & Fast’ phase. When I was being quick and fast in my Aerobic class, all I remember was me trying to catch my breath. There was no time to analyze the significance and impact of each exercise nor was there time to even remember the sequence of the exercises. It was all about up and out. “1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 – 8,7,6,5,4,3, Next, Change” was the only Mantra. How many years have we spent living life fast track without a moment to breathe?!
Through yoga, the impact of experiencing each movement of my muscle & breath slowly, extremely slowly, was tremendous. I actually felt my muscles stretch & tremble. My breath was completely under control. My body was shaking through the movements in some divine manner. I was more aware of my body parts that were flexible and rigid. Despite it being my first session, I remembered the entire sequence of movements. We had spent enough time on each step to allow me to experience the essence of it completely. What an Ah-ha moment it was for me. Through the process of yoga came in a great realization. Life, is not meant to be over and done with, it is meant to be experienced. Slow Down before you miss its essence.
𝗮𝗔
Anuradha Kamath is a Wellness Consultant and Behavioral therapist and assists her clients both in group and individually, as a Hypnotherapist, Energy Healer, Metaphor Therapist, Sound Healer, Access Bar Practitioner and Laughter Yoga Therapist.
𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗵.𝗰𝗼𝗺