Often in our American culture, we associate moving quickly through life with getting things done. In order to get items crossed off our daily “to do” list, we think we must move quickly through our day. This often leads to stress and imbalances in our nervous system. We are literally rushing from one “to do” item to the next rather than truly living our lives.
At times when I am rushing through life, I often find myself focusing on the next item to do rather than the present moment experience. So, it occurred to me to try a little “turtle experiment”. “How slow can I go?” became my mantra from washing dishes to preparing my clients’ charts to walking my dog. When I drastically slow down in life, my brain stays focused on the moment at hand and I become “efficiently laid back” about my “to do” list. This shift in pace sends a message to my brain to pay attention to the newness of the moment, releasing a spike of dopamine and opening up new neural pathways. Slowing down actually supports brain growth and balance in our body!
Adyashanti, a well-known satsang teacher, spoke about this busy-ness of life when he said, “We have our days planned out so efficiently, we don’t allow for anything new to show up.” When we slow down, we allow for “aha” moments throughout our day. The pre-curser to “aha” moments is a parasympathetic response which calms the nervous system, decreases cortozol production and increases blood flow to the vital organs. This disengages the limbic system and brings balance and harmony to the body, brain, mind and spirit. Even Einstein has shared his experience of having many of his invention brainstorms when he took the time to slow down and step away from trying to solve the problem. He left us with this amazing quote: “You cannot solve a problem from the same consciousness that created it. You must learn to see the world anew.” Slowing down lets us see the world anew!!
Slow motion cuts through commotion, so the next time you feel confused, off balance, in pain. anxious or uptight, try to slow down rather than speed up. You will be amazed at how fine tuned and in focus each moment becomes opening up to clarity, peace and harmony!! Look at how peaceful turtles look moving across the earth! Here’s to the medicine of turtle wisdom!!
Shanti Medina is a fitness and wellness coach specializing in core integration and stabilization, life’s transitions, empowered healing, trauma neuromuscular repatterning, mind/body mapping and spiritual transformations. Her passion lies in creating and celebrating community while inspiring her clients and students to move from a strong, balanced core in all aspects of their lives. Shanti humbly holds the certifications of Reiki Master/Teacher, Advanced Pranic Healer, CPT, American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer and Wellness Coach, Yoga Therapist and Pilates instructor, and Advanced Sports Nutritionist. She infuses the wisdom of these teachings to guide her students and clients into a unique embodied journey of discovery, observation and play living to their fullest potential by her tag line: Don’t Just Exercise, Energize™. You can find out more about Shanti by visiting her website at EnergizeShanti.com or becoming part of her Energize facebook community at: EnergizeShanti or join her Body Current blog.
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