I client asked me a question this week that I am often asked: 'Do you do all the things that you tell us to do?'
My answer? Yes, and no!
Let me answer the No parts first! With a 'but yes' for afters (seems a bit 'no, but, yeah, but...' - I promise its not!)
No, I don't spend every day doing, for example, 5 leg strengthening exercises, 4 stretches for shoulders, 3 slow spine releases etc. But, yes, I do them all at some point, when I know it is the correct time to do them. I will at times have more of a focus on something which i'm trying to bring awareness to, or where I've got a bit out of balance and need to regain it. Every single exercise or movement that I suggest a client practices is something that I too have practiced, focused on, learnt from and integrated into my whole at some point in the last 8 years.
No, I don't consciously focus on how I go up the stairs every time I do or how I pick something up everytime I do it. But, yes, I have at some point done exactly that, and I do from time to time check in with how I'm doing there. Mindful movement is a foundation to my life and I'm always in some way aware of how I'm moving, and being curious as to how it feels. I guess it's something that I find very difficult to switch off - I'm not sure I'd want to, it's most likely why I do the work I do!
I suppose what she was really asking me was 'Do I walk the talk?' And that I can reply to with a very solid resounding 'Oh yes!'.
I never ask any client to do something that I either haven't done, am currently doing, or would do myself. How could I possibly ask of others what I would not ask of myself. The work that I do on a day to day basis comes from years of training, learning and experience. But more so it comes from years of doing this stuff myself and learning how to feel good in and about my body and how to live a life that truly makes me happy. These are the lessons that I hope that I can pass on to people. This is I believe what's important - doesn't everyone want to feel good in and about their body and live a happy life? Sometimes carrying out 3 release movements a day is going to help them get there, sometimes it's going to be going for a walk in nature or taking time out to just stop, breathe and put themself first.
Was my client subconsciously asking me if I realised that it's not always easy to integrate some of these things or to change the habits of a lifetime? Possibly. If so then yup, I completely understand how difficult it can be - because I've done it myself. I wasnt always someone who was comfortable in her skin (and to be honest, some days I still have struggles) or who did what her body needed. For many years I hated my body, I punished it and I disliked the person within it.
It's hard work to change. It WAS hard work to change.
But if we want something better for ourselves, or we want to get out of pain, or we want to feel better, then we have to make changes. It's that simple.
As Henry Ford once said 'If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got'.
Why am I telling you all this? I suppose I was just mulling over things today because I had the time and head space. I also started reading a book written by someone I have the priviledge to know personally. I realised that what I really admire about her is her authenticity. What inspires me is when she tells me what she has done or is doing in her own life to make changes that create a healthier life for herself, to create a life that is more 'her'.
It made me realise that I spend so much mental energy trying to work out what I could write a blog post about, trying to decide what people might find interesting, stressing about whether it fits with whatver my 'brand' should be, trying to find time to study some extra stuff to add to my random thoughts.
And I've come to the conclusion that maybe I should just share with you some of the things that I do and have done and what I've learnt from them. I am at a place where I am the happiest and healthiest that I have ever been in my life. I am embracing my 40s and living a life that I feel truly grateful to be living. I've put a lot of work into getting to this place, changing my movement patterns, learning how to feel better in my body, ridding myself of pain and of negative behaviour and thoughts. But, you know, the things that I've done have worked for me - and just maybe they'll work for you too.
I hope you will enjoy my blogs going forward. I hope you will find them practical, positive, and helpful. I hope that they will inspire you to make changes that you feel you need to make. I hope they will help you to move, and live, to your potential.
CT xx
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