No matter one’s age, gender, race, ethnicity or nationality, there exists a universal, biological truth of the human body: when scared, surprised or threatened, the body’s fight-or-flight response kicks in. This response has served each of us as a powerful and important protection from danger throughout our lives. However, the effects of sustained exposure to the chemicals produced by this natural response are undeniably damaging to our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
How can it be that our greatest source of protection can also cause us harm? And don’t other animals suffer the same consequences? Of course, we share this mechanism with most other organisms on the planet. Their muscles get tense, their heart rates rise, and blood flows away from their brains toward their limbs as they prepare to attack or run away. Yet in most other species, the response is mediated by natural habits that bring the body back into a state of relaxation and calm. (Hence the expression, “shake it off.”) We human beings, however, are apparently less adept at coming back to neutral.
Here is another angle on the same theme: Using a powerful metaphor, nationally renowned sound healer Dr. John Beaulieu makes the case that the human body is like musical instrument. With use, the body can become out-of-tune. His and other scientific studies suggest that the frequency of resonance in the body can be disturbed by outside stressors, and can be brought back to resonance at the optimal frequency through the use of sound waves.
Dr. Beaulieu calls the state of optimal human tuning “neutral.” In other disciplines, like Aikido, we might call the same state “operating from center.” In any healing intervention, the first goal he takes with his client is to bring the body to this neutral state. Likewise, in the martial arts, practitioners aim to bring the body into state of calm relaxation before performing any feat of strength or agility. Experienced athletes “get into the zone” before a match or competition. The practice of yoga is designed to bring the body into the most balanced, relaxed and aligned state before beginning meditation. Are you beginning to detect a theme?
What all of these disciplines have in common is the mantra: “First Find Center.”
In the past ten years I have seen time and time again that this simple practice can make all the difference in the world. A personal development junkie, I have spend hundreds of hours and dollars learning wonderful techniques to enhance my own body, mind and spirit, and to sharing them with my clients. Yet the practice of First Find Center (first introduced to me by my great grandmother, who used to say, “if you’re angry, count to ten before you say anything”) forms the foundation upon which all other personal work is made possible.
Here are a few things I’ve found in my own exploration of Finding Center:
- I (must) do it every day. Multiple times a day.
- The goal isn’t to never lose my center… the goal is to admit that I will lose center – often! – and to come back as quickly as I can.
- When I’m out of tune, if I try to do anything else other than Find Center, I end up at best ineffective… at worst making a huge mess.
- Cheating doesn’t work. It is not possible to pretend I’m centered and act effectively “just to get through it.”
- Typically Finding Center involves a combination of making physical (body-based) adjustments AND changing my thoughts about the situation. The body-based adjustments can be done immediately. The thoughts may require time, support, perception-checking and/or vulnerable direct conversation.
This week in your movement practice, I invite you to explore the physical, mental and emotional qualities of Finding Center. While there is no cookie-cutter solution, many disciplines offer useful techniques. It’s well worth it to identify your own unique version of losing center, and to develop a re-centering practice that works for you.
In your physical movement practice, you might practice literally putting your attention on your center of gravity as you move. Feel your feet on the ground. Relax your muscles. Image you have all the time in the world to complete the next action. Allow yourself to take up some space. Sense your body as tall and upright. Contract and release. Notice what shifts. Can you move faster? Slower? Can you still Find Center?
In life, it might look like slowing down or pausing a conversation that isn’t going well. Take a time-out or a deep breath when you feel frustrated. You might try imagining your favorite icon of relaxed, centered presence (perhaps you have in mind a teacher, leader, or famous figure that emanates this quality). Allow your body to take on the shape, energy and attitude of that person. Bring their essence into important or difficult conversations. Notice when your breath gets shallow and your body contracts. Relax again.
Relaxed, Alert, Waiting,
LeeAnn
