hey hey barrebabes,
letting go
I've been meaning to write about this topic for awhile, and hearing some insights from a particularly badass barrebabe ignited the spark to do it. She told me that lately, she hadn't been feeling the workouts in the same way, and she wondered if her hyper-focus on keeping pelvis still and abs in had something to do with it. She decided to let go of pelvis just a little bit to see what happened, and in the process discovered deeper work into abs than ever before - I noticed, too, that her ab work looked extra rad. (Brava, babe!) While pelvic stability is key to many exercises, overdoing it - or over-tucking, which was likely the culprit for our barrebabe - can grip up the hip flexors and prevent the deep abs from really working. It's when we release tension, unlock the sticky spots and relax into the work with good alignment that the energy can flow, and strengthening truly takes place.
This reminded me that we are all changing, constantly, and because of this, some of the things that we needed when we were beginners will no longer serve us as we advance and grow. My tips to take what you need and leave the rest:
- listen to your body. I say it all the time, but checking in and really listening, every single day, helps us to know what we need, to acknowledge both where we are and how far we've come. One day a few months after Diego stopped breastfeeding, I realized I didn't have to throw my shoulders back and down; they were already there. Another day, after a heavy computer session, I needed some extra shoulder rolls and chest openers to get there. Notice the differences in your body day to day and tend to them.
- don't cling to a cue. Overdoing an alignment cue is kind of like repeating the alphabet over and over to make sure you remember it when you can fully read and write. At some point, the thing we most needed in the beginning no longer serves us, and letting go of those early touchstones helps us make way for new growth.
- don't stay tucked. We use a tuck, or posterior pelvic tilt, all the time in barre class to strengthen pelvic floor and abs and intensify virtually any exercise, and I love them because they connect so directly to our deepest source of strength, But there's a difference between performing a lift of the front of pelvis and tucking tailbone under and walking around like that all day. Clench is different from contract, grip is different from engage. More is not always better. Go where you feel the work, and remember that my cues to the class in general are general in nature, so please listen (duh) but see if the cue is really meant for yourbodythatday.
What could you let go of that you don't need anymore? Mismatched socks? Whack nail polish you never use? Me, I'm trying to let go of self-judgment to make way for self-awareness and of overdoing things without allowing for rest. Also, baby clothes. Definitely ready to get rid of some baby clothes :)
relaxy-lax
Which leads me to my new ventures into Stretch Rx - you may see special classes pop-up and more thoughts from me on stretchy super-chillin. These classes include working with foam rollers, massage balls, and my delicious homemade muscle rub, and we'll mindfully relax, stretch, and soften the kinks with myofascial release techniques and the magical, pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory effects of CBD. Message me if you'd like to ask a question, or to buy some balm!
With love and planks,
Annie
