Stand Your Ground (& Have No Fear)

There was a lot of snow and ice in my childhood and I never thought much about it, but when I moved back to the Northeast as a 30something, after eight years in southern California, I had a big scare with one incident. I had rushed off the Metro North train, wearing sneakers and a backpack, heading to my car which was parked in the New Haven Connecticut commuter lot. It was dark and cold, I was hungry and after a long day in New York City, I was eager to get home. 

As I neared my car, with my keys in my hand, my feet slide out from under me and I was flattened. Because of my backpack, my head thankfully did not hit the pavement, but the fall was hard and fast and left me bruised and shaken. 

Ice is sneaky and scary, but so can a water spill in a kitchen, or a newly waxed floor. We can’t always control the surfaces we walk upon. We can, however, prepare ourselves. There are five steps for better on-the-go balance:

STEP ONE, be present
In that parking lot, I was not mindful. I was rushed and agitated. Think of that last time you had a accident, and I bet you were not “there” mentally. Work on being here now, especially while moving.

STEP TWO, breathe fully
In that parking lot, my breathe was tight and shallow. When we’re even the slightest bit stressed, our breath is the first thing to go. Work on keeping your breath flowing and full. 

STEP THREE, access your core
This is where mindful movement really really stands apart from other forms of fitness – it teaches mind/body connection. Yes, accessing the core is a precursor to using the core, so do mindful movement, every day in order to practice this.

STEP FOUR, engage your core
Now, you need those abs! 

STEP FIVE, integrate all of the muscles of the body 
From the core all things are controlled and unified, including every limb and every toe. The core is the “mothership” and that’s why it always comes back to the core again and again and again. The upper body and the lower body can stay out of it (which we don’t want!) or they can get recruited to help.  Mindful movement is the best at establishing the habit of integration, where all movements become stronger and safer. 

So now you know. You know how to stand your ground, claim your turf and most importantly, have no fear. Stellar balance is at your service. Your whole self is ready to go!