In high school, I was a fairly talented tennis player but had a horrible temper.  So my mom – always one to look out for my constant improvement – purchased a series of audio cassettes by Dr. James Loehr who now heads the Human Performance Institute in Orlando.

The tapes were OK, but I remember one relaxation exercise that we should all practice.  It was simply this:  

Find a couch and lay down.  See how long it takes you to relax every single muscle in your body.

It was easy to find the couch and lay down.  But I always found that it took at least 60-90 seconds to shut down (sort of like your PC). Total defrag was tough!  I would be laying there and realize my shoulders were tense or that my hands were stiff.  

But after a while, focusing on total stillness paid off.  Then an amazing thing would happen:  my mind would relax.  

20 YEARS LATER

Despite the obvious benefit of that, I didn’t practice it enough, and entered the frazzled life of a 20-something like a bull in a china shop.  Despite an accelerated interest in spirituality in my 30s, nothing changed much.

Looking back at this ‘chasm of time’ I know that anyone from Gen X or Y would probably assent to the benefit of meditation/relaxation . . .  but who’s got time for that?  

Not me, until recently.  After a long stretch of work related stress and some nagging health issues, I decided to drag myself over to Ekam Yoga – an amazing facility in NE Houston area that has a variety of wellness stuff, classes, etc.  

I signed up for a free meditation class and something really cool happened:  I had my first still moment in a really really long time.

The instructor led us through some simple breathing techniques.  After about 3 or 4 minutes of repetition, I landed softly at the bottom of a breath . . . and just before needing to inhale again, I heard everything and nothing all at once.  Well, not exactly.  I actually heard only the ticking clock on the wall about 40 feet away from me.  But there was something so clear and liberating about it – as if I’d been racing NASCAR for 4 years straight without so much as one pit stop.  

Not to go all ‘eastern’ on you, but there was clarity and peace in that moment.  My body needed it so badly!

The instructor made it plain right up front that weekly meditation classes won’t cut it; it must become a regular practice.  Even if it’s small increments, regular practice and ‘detachment’ are what will keep us focused, centered, and relaxed.  

Where have I heard this before?  

Oh yes!  I tell my clients this every day . . .

Like anything else, gang, we need leverage to achieve sustainable change.  What does that mean?  In this case, it means bringing a friend/key relationship to meditation class.  It means use your technology to remind you of the important things.  It means set some realistic goals for the short, mid, and long term and share them with those you love!  

Because If we’re left on our own, we’ll work our minds and bodies to death.  I’m trying to turn the ship around before it hits the iceberg.

Just remember that you alone can’t keep yourself centered.  If you figure out a way, send me a white paper!

RECOMMENDED READING:  Who Switched Off My Brain?  Controlling Toxic Thoughts & Emotions