Move and Breathe and embody both Scientific and Mythic

What do I mean when I say Scientific? 

In many mindful movement practices, we move and breathe with the mindset of a scientist. Observing sensation, range of motion, as well as the pace and quality of our breathe. Explore, experiment and observe again. This is scientific.

Can we be both at the same time on and off the yoga mat?  

I believe, yes, we can. 

Healing soups 

The circle of friends around my mom in HK who saw her through 8 weeks of chemo earlier this summer, showed up in a myriad of ways including bringing traditional Chinese healing soups.  

The scientific in me is always curious about the chemistry of white fungus, peanut skin and papaya that interacts with the chemistry of the human body to increase white blood cells.  

The mythic in me knows that beyond the formula of the ingredients, there is love cooked into the healing broth.

Mount Baker  

While hiking in the Pacific Northwest last week I could feel a tremendous shift in my being.

The Scientific in me knows:  

Crisp mountain air makes me breathe deeply and I increase my oxygen level.
Outdoor play increases my overall daily exercise, so I sleep more deeply at night.
Expansive views invite my eyes to widen their gaze and the muscles around my eyes get to flex in a very different way than when I focus on a computer screen.

The Mythic in me knows:  

The symphony of nature has the power to shift awareness. As I walk in silence, I hear the wind in the trees, the rush of the river, the call of the birdsong, all these sounds effortlessly lifting my awareness in the quiet to listen more.

Mother earth is teaching me the ripple effect. As I hike up the side of the mountain, I notice with each step I take a pebble can be displaced on the path, and it may tumble down the hillside and drop into the stream, now it is part of a small collection of pebbles, that over time may build up and redirect the flow of the stream. Over more time the redirected flow of the stream may carve a whole new landscape. I learn again every action I take can affect everything around me.

United Humanity 

As our country draws to a crossroads, I’m listening to leaders of our country sharing their vision of what they in front of us. 

The Scientific in me knows there is work now and work ahead. Work to undo racism, work to preserve our environment, work to heal and prevent disease, work to build our economy, work.

The Mythic in me feels a swell of hope in my chest, that brings tears to my eyes as I hear the call for unity.

“…people whose fortunes are bound up with one another.”

“…guided by truth we are a united humanity.”

Surge of Love  

The swell of hope evolves into a surge of love and determination.  

I am part of this united humanity and I must show up for ALL the work ahead.  

I must do my work to show up for the collective work. 

I know I can do this; I know we ALL can. 

I know, because I have seen it in all the humans I get to move with every day. 

We move with courage and compassion 

We move and breathe to explore and experiment with the body we have today so we can do the work ahead. 

We move and breathe toward clear headed judgment, toward humility and maturity. 

We move and breathe to digest and metabolize complex and at times competing sensations, emotions, and ideas. 

We move and breathe every day.  

It is our daily practice so we may show up for the collective work ahead. 

Yes, we can… 

We can be scientific and mythic. 

We can observe, explore, experiment, and observe again. We can do the work.

We can imagine, visualize, and embody hope and love. 

We are and always  have been scientific and mythic, we are and always have been a part of the ever-unfolding story of this epic existence.

Join us in the fold and unfold, join us in the movement.