Thinking about it counts
You may have heard me say this in class before “thinking about it still counts!” The invitation is that even if you do not feel able to do the big movement, you can think about doing it and the thinking will create activity in your body. There’s actually some research to support this.
Visualization improves athletic function (source)
Focusing attention on targeted areas increases blood flow and engages relaxation through the nervous system (source)
Synapses that fire together, wire together (source)
Our brains are incredible planners (when you try to go to sleep, but your brain is busy planning for tomorrow). There are infinite possibilities in the unknown future so our brain can be overwhelmed by potential outcomes or hyper focused on worst case scenarios. Left to work without direction, our brain is working to keep us safe and alive through this moment.
This invitation to “think about it” helps us focus the power of our attention. This purposeful focus harnesses the energy used for mental gymnastics in a way toward creating the changes we want. In yoga, especially when we practice mindfulness, the power of our attention turns up the volume on the changes we are creating in our bodies. Mindfulness practices are all about focusing your attention. Walking meditation, mindful eating, even coloring!
Consciously focus your attention. Focused attention is a great way to help you relax! Take a minute right now and notice the flow of your breathing. Immediately, your attention on the breath will change (usually slowing down/deepen) your breathing pattern. You can also try a body scan meditation – this is where you move your attention through specific parts of your body, inviting release, moving through the entire body.
Paying attention implies the value of attention. Our attention is a resource (social media is makes a lot of money on our attention). Today’s fast-paced, information avalanche trains a very short attention span. We have to work to strength train our attention. Using the tools of mindfulness can help us train the resource of attention and lead to powerful changes.
*ONLY thinking about it is not as valuable as ATTENTION + ACTION ;)