I worked for many years as a free-lance chef, and it was, in many ways, a crucible for learning about “enough-ness”:

It was easy to fall into the habit of overdoing when there was work.  ‘Make hay while the sun shines”!  But I often felt overwhelmed… “just one more thing” would put me over the edge.  In fact, I actually fell and broke bones.  When I couldn’t do any more, that’s when I stopped.

When times were slow, could I rest, remembering that business ebbs and flows in cycles?  No.  After the initial rest and recovery, worry quickly replaced relief.   How would I know if I had enough?  Seemed like I should feel good.  Safe.  Secure.  Maybe if I worried enough, I’d figure it out.  Right.

I really loved cooking for people and having the freedom of self-employment…but this problem with enough-ness was seriously raining on my parade, and ruining my health.

Do enough, have enough, be enough.  How does one measure “enough”?   My own gauge was pain and limitation.  And I’m not the only one…our cultural maxim seems to be “no pain-no gain”.  Why are we afraid to stop?  And why do we always feel somehow, unsatisfied?

Life does not have to be so hard.

Pain and injuries were what lead me to Mind Body Studies. I learned that the more balanced and secure I felt in my body, the more safe and confident I felt in my mind.  It was an actual physical sensation which felt blissful and at the same time, energized.  As if I might actually be capable of handling what came next.

I learned that by backing off of the outer limit, I had better balance, stability… and leverage.  (Dancers and martial artists know this).  Being able to leverage power in the moment felt… the opposite of helpless.

Optimal Movement classes are a fun, empowering and relaxing way to escape the strain/pain cycle, into ease and enough-ness.

Two new Optimal Movement class series start this week: one on Thursday and one on Saturday.  Both are in Shoreline and  require pre-registration.  I’d love to see you on the floor at either or both classes!