Taking Advantage of the Natural Rhythm

Posted on by Wynne Leon

My meditation teacher, Deirdre, who is also my massage therapist and a yoga teacher, was recently showing me her go-to exercises for strengthening the abs and core. She said, “I’m all for exercise that works with the power of breath.”

I’m pretty sure I did an inner eye roll. Dang, it takes focus to align those things. When I was younger, I would just power through giving no thought to my breath. But age, and not having very much time to spend doing things improperly, have convinced me to pay better attention.

The inhale expands the ribcage and spine and naturally works with extension movements. The exhale brings in the power of contraction and release. I might as well work with the power instead of against it.

Funny how age has brought acceptance that I can’t just blunder through things. In the past, I’d put my exuberance up against any obstacle and just push harder. This reminds me of a work situation years ago when I was having a crew run some fiber optic cable. When they encountered an impasse and couldn’t pull the cable, they ordered up a winch truck to pull harder. Eventually they figured out they were pulling on the wrong cable. 😊

So I have to admit, doing bridge pose the way Deirdre taught me is way easier as well, as long as I can muster the attention. Push up on the exhale and the body naturally contracts.

I think this works for fear and courage as well. I naturally have moments when I’m tighter and harder on myself. This is almost always in the evenings when I’m exhausted. I’ve discovered that, like with Deirdre’s advice, it’s best to work with this energy, and just settle in to read a book or work on something repetitious.

For me, the mornings come with great promise and expansion. So, if I need to write a query letter, learn something new, or tackle something hard, it naturally works better at that time of day.

I don’t have the flexibility that I once did, so I’m all for taking advantage of the natural rhythm.

(featured photo from Pexels)

Related content:

When I Write by Wynne Leon

The Unified Theory of Breathing by Wynne Leon

It’s Going to Be Great, Kid by Wynne Leon

The Courage Bucket by Vicki Atkinson

Sink or swim moments by Brian Hannon

Podcast episodes:

Episode 10: The Power of Intuition with Deirdre Wilcox

Episode 14: Holding Space with Deirdre Wilcox

23 thoughts on “Taking Advantage of the Natural Rhythm”

  3. This is such a good lesson in life. I remember counselling my mom to be selective about where she spends her energy – advice that now governs me.

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  4. If we think of he greatest classical music performers, many of them reduce the size of their repertoire in order to focus on the pieces they most love. This is an acknowledgement of the shortness of time.

    The world of professional athletes requires a similar reflection on aging, even though the athletes are technically relatively young. Age will have its way, but awareness allows us to make the best use of the time we have.

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  5. The years I attended a Yoga class I, like you, went through the motions without always coordinating my breath. When I participate in an exercise class now, I follow the advice of the instructor. Live and learn! 🙂

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  6. I must admit to doing an inner eye roll too. It’s hard enough to chew gum and walk at the same time, now I gotta control my breath too. Geeesh! Ha ha, but I love your focus on natural rhythms and our natural tendencies. Like you, my mornings are better for more tedious work, work where I need to be patient. Since I tend to write for myself more in the evenings, that’s become my more protected time. It’s interesting to think how we can use our tendencies to our advantage. Yea, I’ll keep working on that breathing thing. Good thing I didn’t need to remember to breath to survive or I would be a goner!!!!🤣🤣🤣😎

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    1. I’m laughing. Yes, it’s a very good thing we don’t have to remember to breathe – whew! And I love how you call your evenings for writing protected time. That makes such a difference when we protect the things that are important! Thanks, Brian!

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  8. “age has brought acceptance that I can’t just blunder through things”

    And still, sometimes, I do. The difference is that now I notice my body telling me about it.

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    1. Oh, I love this comment because I still blunder through things too. But you’re right, the difference is that I KNOW I’m doing it and that there’s a better way, IF I choose to listen.

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  9. I found the breathing technique in yoga hard to understand when I took lessons in my 20s but I can now see why it’s important to follow that natural rhythm.

    I also like that you try to do the hardest tasks at your peak moments during the day. One of the best life hacks!

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    1. One of the best life hacks – yes!! I am gratified that it wasn’t just me that didn’t understand about the breath work with yoga. Breath, smeath…til I learned better. 🙂 Thanks, Ab!

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  10. Ah, work that core. Yes, sometimes it’s easier to work on something that doesn’t involve so much brainpower. Mornings and afternoons are more for physical and mental hurdles for me.

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