• I help people fully inhabit their bodies and guide teachers to do the same • Get access to exclusive videos, articles and teachings from Domini Anne
When I Move, You Move
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• 4 Minute Read • Exploring the hidden power of stillness in creativity and learning • A mini-workout for your abs and thighs • Last call for today's "Lats Dance" Gyrotonic Intensive at 2 PM Pacific "The quieter you become, the more you can hear." - Ram Dass Have you ever noticed how your best ideas reveal themselves when you're not actively chasing them? There's a peculiar magic in those moments of apparent inactivity - a hidden wellspring of creativity and learning that often is overlooked in our go-go-go world. I first encountered this creative alchemy during my pregnancy with Ziggy, who communicated with me frequently in utero. Either with direct words in my brain, or in very directed, intentional movement. At that time I was devoted to developing my practice of Core Breathwork, and using the Gyrotonic method as well as somatic movements to stay at ease in my body throughout those 9 months.. One night, mid-unwinding, I experienced what I can only describe as a powerful energetic release - the closest thing to a Kundalini awakening I've ever felt. Elation quickly turned to panic when I realized Ziggy had gone suspiciously still. Had I accidentally sapped my child's energy? Then, clear as day, I heard his little voice in my mind: "Silly mommy, don't you know that when you move, I learn, and when you're resting, I practice?" Mind. Blown. This moment sparked a fascination with the hidden potency of stillness - a thread I've been unraveling ever since. It's not just about rest; it's about the profound processing and learning that happens when we're not actively "doing." Take my bedtime routine, for instance. I once learned a nifty trick for falling asleep: focus on the swirly images behind your closed eyes, allowing thoughts but banning words and songs. It works like a charm... except when it doesn't. Because, you see, my favorite nighttime activity is planning classes. It's in that twilight state, teetering on the edge of sleep, that my most creative ideas flow. Suddenly, I'm piecing together sequences, experimenting with prop combinations, and playing with gravitational options. My mind becomes a playground of movement possibilities, effortlessly stringing together exercises based on sensations and narratives. Is it optimal for my sleep schedule? Probably not. But it's a testament to the generative power of relaxation. When we turn down the volume of physical activity, we often turn up our creative capacity. It's a delicate dance between rest and stimulation - one that I'm still learning to master (especially at 2 AM). But here's where it gets really interesting: this mental choreography isn't just idle daydreaming. There's solid research backing the efficacy of "mental rehearsal" in enhancing physical performance. Dancers visualize their routines, athletes mentally run through their plays, and musicians refine their pieces - all without moving a muscle. I often incorporate this technique into my teaching, guiding students to first envision a movement, overlaying specific sensations before engaging physically. This internal focus allows us to refine our technique and enhance precision without the distractions of the external environment. It's a form of meditation, really. But instead of emptying the mind, we're filling it with intentional, focused imagery. We're learning to harness the power of our imagination to sculpt our physical reality. So, the next time you find yourself in a moment of stillness - whether it's lying in bed, waiting for the kettle to boil, or sitting in traffic - remember that your mind might be doing its most profound work. That apparent "down time" could be your brain's most creative, productive period. Embrace these moments. Allow your mind to wander, to play, to create. You might be surprised at the insights and ideas that emerge when you're not trying so hard to think. After all, as Ziggy so wisely pointed out, sometimes when we rest, we practice. And in that practice lies the seed of our next great leap forward.
Until next time, may your stillness be as fruitful as your motion. Yours in perpetual discovery, Domini Anne |
Domini Anne
• I help people fully inhabit their bodies and guide teachers to do the same • Get access to exclusive videos, articles and teachings from Domini Anne
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