When was the last time you paid attention to your feet? Most of us tend to ignore them, taking for granted that they will carry us around all day. They might get a bit of pedicure pampering during sandal season, but for those of us in the north that's still a few months away. Your poor, neglected feet spend most of the day hidden in boots, never seeing the light, or shoved into narrow toe-squishing pumps or smelly sneakers. Your feet need some consideration.
It's the weekend. If you are hanging out at home, take your shoes off. Stand on the floor and look down at your feet. Can you spread your toes wide? Pick your toes up and see if you can put them down one-by-one, starting with your pinkie toes. Then look straight ahead, close your eyes, and stand tall. Try to be still. Notice if you sway from side to side, or in small circles. Try to push all four corners of your feet into the ground for more stability.
After a few minutes of standing, look down at your feet again. In an attempt to stand still, did you curl your toes to hold onto the floor?
If you take the time to notice what's going on with your feet, you can learn about your energetic body. The root chakra, Muladhara, is an energy center located at the base of your spine. Grounding energy flows from the root chakra through your feet, connecting you to the earth's stabilizing force. When we are grounded, we are present, secure, focused. When the connection to the earth is blocked, we end up "with our head in the clouds", unable to focus on the mundanities of life. Likewise, we can be too grounded, unable to move forward in life, afraid to take a risk.
What happened when you just stood on your feet? Did you feel insecure and wobbly? Did focusing on your feet bring up an unexpected emotion? Did you feel heavy, like all of your weight was in your ankles? Don't judge. I've yet to meet anyone who is perfectly balanced. Just be aware.
Now, back to our five-toed friends down there. Your feet need some love. A massage is nice - even nicer if you can find someone to massage your feet for you. Give your toes a stretch. Interlace the fingers of your right hand with the toes of your left foot. See if you can work your fingers all the way down to the base of your toes. It might not happen the first time. Don't forget to do the other foot too. Step on a tennis ball, and roll it around under your foot. Try a rolling pin to make it more intense.
If your feet are tired, soak them in some warm water with a few drops of peppermint oil. If they are tight, rub them with some lavendar lotion. If your feet feel heavy, like you're just dragging them along, spend some time in Salamba Sarvangasana or Viparita Karani, letting the energy flow up your legs.
Hopefully you're looking at your feet with new appreciation. Maybe they deserve a pre-season pedicure. Just make sure that hot red nail polish is dry before you shove your toes back in your boots.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Monday
Sometimes a Monday is just a Monday. It started out okay, with a decent swim workout. Then, as I was making my way out of the YMCA, it became a Monday. The guy who mans the front desk called me over because when I checked in he noticed I have a $267 balance on my account. That makes no sense, because my monthly fees are charged to my credit card. Of course, no one is in the office at 6 a.m., so I'd have to call later.
Back at home, the morning rush was on, as usual, but the children seemed to be stuck in slow motion. I am the timekeeper. "Melanie, it's 6:45." "It's 6:53. You need to stop messing with your hair." "It's 6:57. Your hair looks fine." "It's 7:01, Melanie." Then, because the bus comes back past our house on the way out of our neighborhood, "Melanie, the bus went by once already. You'd better get out there." "The bus driver isn't going to wait for you to get your pony tail perfect. JUST GO!"
45 minutes later it starts again. "Tristan, eat your breakfast." "Tristan, time is running out. Eat your breakfast." "You are going to miss the bus if you don't finish your breakfast soon." "If you're done eating, go get dressed." "Stop dancing around in your underwear and put your clothes on." "You are going to be very cold standing at the bus stop if you aren't wearing pants." "PUT YOUR CLOTHES ON NOW!" "Why are you crying?" "I yelled because you weren't putting your clothes on." "It's 8:23. You have two minutes, so cry and put your clothes on at the same time."
Somehow they both managed to get on their buses, although Tristan was still crying and had to be carried onto the bus. It was 8:30 a.m. and I was already exhausted.
Later, I spent 30 minutes on the phone with the Y. The nice woman in the office insisted that my account wasn't even set up for monthly credit card billings, and had no idea how the monthly charges were showing up on my credit card bill. We finally got to the bottom of it. Somehow I ended up with two accounts in their system, one with my last name misspelled. My member number was associated with both accounts. The misspelled account had all the credit card charges, but the computer always brought the other account first when I scanned my membership card at the desk. My head was spinning by the end of that conversation, but hopefully it's all straightened out. I'll find out when I swim on Wednesday. Hopefully Wednesday won't be another Monday.
Back at home, the morning rush was on, as usual, but the children seemed to be stuck in slow motion. I am the timekeeper. "Melanie, it's 6:45." "It's 6:53. You need to stop messing with your hair." "It's 6:57. Your hair looks fine." "It's 7:01, Melanie." Then, because the bus comes back past our house on the way out of our neighborhood, "Melanie, the bus went by once already. You'd better get out there." "The bus driver isn't going to wait for you to get your pony tail perfect. JUST GO!"
45 minutes later it starts again. "Tristan, eat your breakfast." "Tristan, time is running out. Eat your breakfast." "You are going to miss the bus if you don't finish your breakfast soon." "If you're done eating, go get dressed." "Stop dancing around in your underwear and put your clothes on." "You are going to be very cold standing at the bus stop if you aren't wearing pants." "PUT YOUR CLOTHES ON NOW!" "Why are you crying?" "I yelled because you weren't putting your clothes on." "It's 8:23. You have two minutes, so cry and put your clothes on at the same time."
Somehow they both managed to get on their buses, although Tristan was still crying and had to be carried onto the bus. It was 8:30 a.m. and I was already exhausted.
Later, I spent 30 minutes on the phone with the Y. The nice woman in the office insisted that my account wasn't even set up for monthly credit card billings, and had no idea how the monthly charges were showing up on my credit card bill. We finally got to the bottom of it. Somehow I ended up with two accounts in their system, one with my last name misspelled. My member number was associated with both accounts. The misspelled account had all the credit card charges, but the computer always brought the other account first when I scanned my membership card at the desk. My head was spinning by the end of that conversation, but hopefully it's all straightened out. I'll find out when I swim on Wednesday. Hopefully Wednesday won't be another Monday.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Waxing Poetic
Never look in the mirror before a workout and tell yourself how hard it's going to be. After you've finished, tell yourself how great you did.
Never look in the mirror searching for bits you'd like to get rid of. Find the muscles that are starting to show.
Never look in the mirror in your race clothes and worry that you don't look like a triathlete. You'll look like a triathlete in your finish line photo, no matter what you're wearing.
Never look in the mirror while wearing your swim goggles!
Never look in the mirror thinking about your limitations. Focus on your strengths.
Never look in the mirror and doubt that you can do this. You CAN do this.
Never wax poetic about triathlon training. It's just silly.
Never look in the mirror searching for bits you'd like to get rid of. Find the muscles that are starting to show.
Never look in the mirror in your race clothes and worry that you don't look like a triathlete. You'll look like a triathlete in your finish line photo, no matter what you're wearing.
Never look in the mirror while wearing your swim goggles!
Never look in the mirror thinking about your limitations. Focus on your strengths.
Never look in the mirror and doubt that you can do this. You CAN do this.
Never wax poetic about triathlon training. It's just silly.
This was bouncing around my head all day. I don't know where it came from, but I'm hoping that writing it down will get it out. Sorry to drag you into it.
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