how do you practice?

I sent this post to my students a few years ago. The fact that I was speaking directly to my students isn’t the important part. What’s important is the thought process I am encouraging everyone to move towards...

I've asked before, and I'll ask again. What did you learn today, specifically? What was hard for you? What was easy? What do you think you need to work on more consistently, and why? Why is it important? 

Your shoulders, your hips, your legs, your core, your arms.... your brain, your emotional body, your mental clarity, your ability to stay focused, your ability to relax....

These critical questions are *crucial* for your personal growth: physical, yes, but also mental and emotional. This is how we get better--through reflection. You can keep on taking classes, keep on working out, but without articulating WHY, you might as well be a hamster running on a wheel. Critical thinking brings critical awareness, points us in the right direction, and fosters our success.”

So far the responses have been awesome. It’s simple once you get to it, but it’s sort of bizarre, I’m well aware, to have a movement teacher ask you to engage in this manner. 

But I’m doing it because showing up and going through the motions without a critical thinking process around the practice is missing the point. More than that, it’s selling yourself short. You have the ability to look at your practice more deeply and ask the difficult questions. It’s just about cultivating that engagement.

I went on... 

“Having someone to hold you accountable to your goals, who can see the path clearly, and help you find it along the way... that's why I'm HERE. 

And hey... I'm not IMMUNE to critical thinking. I make mistakes, and there are things I can do better. If those things are coming up for you, I wholeheartedly encourage you to bring those things to my attention. That is the meaning of relationship. If your teacher isn't receptive to feedback and critique, are they truly ready to teach you?”

When we really get on board with our practice, the amazing thing is that it is a 24/7 ongoing process. Class never starts, it never ends. You are always in your body, you are constantly choosing movement, and there is a never-ending process of reacting to that movement in your mind. 

Class is a simple demarkation of a portion of time you are going to dedicate yourself solely to the practice of being in your body. 

But you keep practicing. All day, every day. How you practice is what makes up the fabric of your life. So next time you wake up, and remember that you’re in your body, ask yourself:

How do I want to practice?