Less is more.

(or, the benefits of Softening Through)

My students and yoga therapy clients have been hearing me say "Less is More" for many years. It became a mantra of sorts when I turned to therapeutic yoga to heal the chronic hip and back pain that had developed from years of teaching from a more is better perspective, especially with regard to flexibility.

I had been telling people to listen to their bodies, but I wasn't practicing what I was preaching. I was proud of being more flexible than ever, thinking that when I finally was able to do the splits or get myself into lotus pose, I would finally be successful (whatever that means).

And I was ignoring the hip and back pain that was keeping me from enjoying walks with my husband, being able to sleep on my right side, or taking a yoga class without gritting my teeth and clenching for dear life.

Hindsight is 20/20

My pain was telling me to do less, but I was trying to fix it by doing more. The harder I tried, the louder the pain got.

The game changer that got me out of pain was Softening. Being in my body and working with my nervous system and connective tissue, instead of against it. Learning how to do less and feel more. Finally feeling ease because I learned how to soften and do less. Or do less and soften. Chicken or the egg...

Softening remains an important part of Mindful Movement Classes and 1:1 yoga therapy - it's the first step to building coordination, strength and mobility.

We can apply the principle of Less is More, or Softening, whether working with therapeutic movement or with other parts of life. We're working with the same nervous system.

The skill of Softening walks hand in hand with getting curious. Softening means you're not holding onto expectations so tightly that you can't see any other way. It means pausing (of course!) and surrendering control. Feeling your body softening around your breath. Softening your gaze and shifting perspective to see the forest and the trees. Learning to skillfully navigate the current instead of fighting it.

Is there something you've been putting a lot of effort into lately, but are feeling stuck around? What do you think should be happening?

Step back.

Look at the big picture. Pause.
What are you pushing against?
What's the current you're fighting?
What else is going on?
Where is there an opportunity to surrender control?

What happens when you stop trying so hard, stop banging your head against the wall, and let your hand just rest there for a while? What door might appear?

If now's the time for you to learn how to soften into your strength and inner wisdom, I'd love to teach you how.

1:1 Yoga therapy? Mindful Movement Classes? Embodiment Coaching? Schedule your free conversation today and let's find the path that's right for you.

Book news!

For those of you who want to support me by buying The Power of the Pause, but don't want to support Amazon, I've found another alternative. The book is available worldwide through my online store, and shipping is on me. The printing and shipping takes a bit longer, but I think it's worth the wait!

And a reminder - if you're local to the Hamilton area, you can order the book from me and I'll deliver it to your home! Hit reply and we'll take it from there.