“Be careful!” says the father to the child as she attempts to climb a ladder. “Be careful!” says the grandmother as the child stumbles excitedly down a path by a lake. “Be careful!” says the mother to the daughter as the child climbs into the car for the first time to drive solo.

Years ago, I read a book called Last Child in the Woods written by Richard Louv. It is an excellent read focused on the shifting role of nature in our children’s world and unintended effects of that trend. One excerpt continues to resonate with me and strongly influences how my husband and I talk to our 3 littles ones. In the book, a young woman speaks of how her parents raised her with the phrase “Pay attention.” as a substitute for “Be careful!”

Before I unintentionally step up on a slippery soapbox, I’d rather you explore for yourself.

1. Say the words “Be careful” in your head. Now close your eyes and repeat the phrase three times in your head as you breathe naturally. Pause and notice what adjective you would give to your breath. Soft, hard, stiff, supple, held… you don’t need the “right” word. You just need what comes to you. Experience that adjective as active feeling in your body for a few more breaths.
2. Now open your eyes and let that go. Shake a little, shoulder rolls, whatever you need for a mini-reset.
3. Now say the words “Pay attention” in your head. Close your eyes and repeat the phrase three times in your head as you breathe naturally. Pause and notice what adjective you now give your breath. Experience that adjective as active feeling in your body for a few more breaths.

Does one intention feel more passive and does one feel more active?

Consider… do you tend to move from a place of “Be careful” or a place of “Pay attention”? Or neither? Embrace where you find space to explore, play, celebrate, and grow.

And if you’re interested in taking this a step further and integrating on the mat with me, email meto pop into one of my last spots for my Saturday, March 18^th special small group classes. I’ll teach a Hatha class at 1:30pm and a Therapeutic class at 3:15pm. Note that I will not have group classes again until May so do come if you’d like a fun combination of awareness, efficient effort and ease. (And amusing playful explorations are guaranteed.)

Finally, Susan Jackson and I are scheduling a reflection and integration discussion in April for theFemale Core & Pelvic Floor Conference that my teacher Susi Hately is currently offering online. The online conference is active today (Thursday) until midnight and signup is still possible. Pop on to http://bit.ly/2kgfr5R ASAP today to register and get access to an amazing panel of expert interviews today and in downloaded files after the conference closes tonight. The value here is phenomenal. There will be a host of tools to walk away with in order to grow stability in your practice and your life as a woman. Email me if you’d like to join our local group reflection in April and we’ll keep you posted on details.

I’m hearing from more and more of you with questions and reflections on your practice and movement. Keep the curiosities coming! The connection of learning together is one of growth, potential and acceptance of more.  There is always more…

Be well,
Rachel