Carolyn Creative

Everything moves more slowly in the summer. The air, the days, lines at the airport. Our bodies may feel

 like we are walking underwater. Sometimes when we make our way to the mat, our bodies might feel more sluggish than usual.

During the heat wave at the end of July, I found difficult to motivate myself to do the smallest task during the hours of 1-4 PM. Getting pumped up to driving two blocks to the bank felt like I was about to take a bar exam. (Note: I have never taken the bar. However I did defend Sam Adams in a mock trail in 8th grade and as a lawyer I was … terrible.)

But this molasses pace does not have to be a negative. In my book this slowing down is A-OK. Even necessary.

Too often we rush around, disconnected from the present. How often have we snarfed down a meal in five minutes, only to feel like we are still not full? The stomach does not receive signals from the brain that is is full until half an hour after eating. The body encourages us to eat with mindfulness.

And why fight the body’s hints about slowing down? This could be an excellent opportunity to deepen one’s restorative practice or enjoy longer holds. Explore what happens when resisting the monkey mind impulse to move on to the next thing. That’s when things get reeeeeeally interesting on the mat.

And you never know. Small practices in mindfulness might encourage you to be more present with your friends and your family.

After all, the tortoise DID win the race. The hare definitely needed to get to yoga class.