Tactics

As I'm getting ready to write for my blog, I think about the position my hands and shoulders are in, so I can relieve any unneeded pressure on my wrists and shoulders.  They've been getting extra workout time playing the guitar, so I don't need any self-inflicted strain on my body. I want it to get stronger, not more compromised.

I was also thinking about my other lazy body positions.  The ones I don't often think about. They cause problems, as I age.  I can't just "snap" them back to attention when I need them to cooperate.  One of the hardest for me to re-train has been the habit of leaning on one hip when I stand in line, wait on the phone, or wash dishes.  I don't need any more gravity pulling my body to one side, making the weight uneven.  When I want to move quickly after being in this position, my body has to realign and compensate for the unnatural posture.  Then it argues with me, (like a teenager),  "Just a minute, I'm coming, what's the big deal?"

Another problematic position is my chin tilted up and head to one side.  When I sing, my voice needs all the space I have, to create a full, resonate sound.  If I use the lazy body position, it's like taking a cello and bending it like a taco.  Very different sound.  Jayne Sleder, a voice teacher I once had in Traverse City, was always reminding me to keep my chin down.  She'd say, "Divorce yourself from Margaret, give your voice space to come out." 

I hated it when Mother Mathias poked me in the back with a ruler, in second grade.  "Sit up straight," she'd hiss.  

Google Image

I didn't relate it to her concern for a healthy habit, I thought it was the boss telling me what to do and making me do it.  (I'd love to blame her for my lack of discipline) Now, fifty years later, I wish I had internalized the habit.  I don't think it's too late to discipline myself.  It's just hard.  Stress weighs down the effort and distracts me.  Muscles have a memory.  I have to reroute the brain to remember the new lessons.  

Maybe painful tactics work.  I could smack myself with a ruler every time I get lazy.  After reading  "How to Make it Impossible to Fail", from Zen habits, I have to agree with the author.  Adults respond better to losing money in their pocketbook, than threats or torture.  We bristle our backs when we hear a command.  Even if it's from ourselves.  Bribes, blackmail, fear of penalty. Those are tactics hard to resist.  

Zen Habits (link below) suggests the hardest one to resist is a friend.  Working on goals together is less lonely.  It's harder to talk back to someone you care about.  Approval is powerful.  I saw children accomplish more academically when they worked in groups and teams.  The motivation was natural.  Unless the friend is easy on you and helps you formulate new excuses for laziness, you hadn't thought of.  Or, criticizes your failures, instead of celebrating your progress.  

A role-model is strong learning tool for me.  When I see good posture in others, I instantly pull my shoulders up and back.  Maybe if Mother Mathias had had good posture, the visual would have helped.

My Personal Trainer-Polked Dotted Yoga Mat

When I'm done posting this, I'll roll out my yoga mat and work on those lazy, ignorant, muscles of mine.  My daughter, Elizabeth lent me her set of videos,  Kundalini Yoga with Maya Fiennes.  I'm anxious to keep learning new stretches and postures.  I don't ever want to let myself go a day without learning, no matter how old I get.  Even if it means wiping the slate clean before I learn new lessons.  I may even have to take the time to reflect on each lesson, banging the erasures together, making sure I get all the old chalk out of them. And start again.......

http://zenhabits.net/

Kundlini Yoga with Maya Fiennes, A Journey through the Chakras