• I help people fully inhabit their bodies and guide teachers to do the same • Get access to exclusive videos, articles and teachings from Domini Anne
I Felt the Earth Move... Under My Feet
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Split seconds before this picture was taken, I was about to be swallowed by mud. Stepping into that fantastic backdrop, my feet sank into ground that disappeared beneath them. An invisible bog, barely discernible from the lush jungle landscape that surrounded me, threatened to consume my body. I quickly summoned my strength, grabbed onto some surrounding branches and pulled myself up and out. Holding onto those supporting stalks, I nailed the shot, and carefully sidestepped the swampy abyss. No harm done, just a little adrenaline boost for the day after the mud flaked from my ankles. But what a metaphor for these times... What "Presence" Really Means Mind/Body Awareness doesn't come with a set of 10 commandments, but if it did then "Be Here Now" might very well take the helm as the "Golden Rule". The reminder to be present, that we don't live in our past or future (no matter how much our nervous systems will insist otherwise) is timely, relevant, and true. But at the same time, without context, our present moment is devoid of meaning. So what do you do when the future looks like Dorothy's tornado, and nothing appears safe from the storm? How does "Be Here Now" apply when you've suddenly woken up in a barrel about to go over Niagara Falls? Well, if you're scrolling a news feed for information about current events, then that's your Niagara Falls right there. And the best answer is to STOP. Put your phone down, and do something quickly to bring yourself back into your body. Currently, 10 air squats for every 45 minutes of inactivity is trending in my field, based on this study demonstrating the superiority of high-intensity "exercise snacks" over a longer period of lower-intensity cardio for blood sugar regulation. Given our current attention spans, this sounds like a fantastic place to start. For every 45 minutes you spend doomscrolling on your phone, or maybe even seated beside your clients, coaxing them into their bodies, take a minute to break it up for "10 air squats". For those unfamiliar with the term, an "Air Squat" simply refers to the movement where you go from a standing position to knees bent, butt close to the ground and back up again without any additional load. Doesn't matter how your feet turn, no specification as to "how low". Of course, for ANY of us who not only live in our bodies but make a living from that, it's impossible to imagine that "10 Air Squats" is going to be the magic bullet. The actual physical benefits realized during this study were based on intensity and challenge, and as soon as anyone commits to doing "10 air squats per hour" as an exercise snack, they'll quickly realize that the stakes have to be higher. So I made this handy video about squat progressions if you're looking for some creative inspiration. Because short-circuiting your anxiety loop and tuning into "Boom, I lit your A$$ on 🔥" is most definitely a great plan, no matter what your circumstances are. That said, small changes deliver small change. Those 45-second bursts of activity are as helpful for our bodies as the captions are for our news headlines—delivering a hint of direction with a spurt of momentum but not much more. If you want to make a real difference, either externally or internally, you'll need to put in more effort. Advising you on the steps necessary to change your external world is decidedly outside my scope ( links in the PS for those looking for resources ). But devoting serious "real time" to improving your relationship with your body, your breath, and driving resiliency within your cellular matrix is paramount to maintaining your physical health during this time of absolute external chaos. The relationship between strength training and emotional health has already been proven, and the simple action of CHOOSING to spend that time on your body, and IN your body, will reward you with resilience in so many aspects of your being. Today, having washed the remaining flecks of mud off my ankles, I took the time to do one of my own classes. A Core Breathwork routine filmed at the beginning of the Covid Quarantine that remains one of the most popular rentals on my site. It promised to restore shoulder mobility, improve core strength, and bolster focus and mental control. And you know what? It worked. So, I re-recorded it for you - a 2025 version of what worked in 2021. All you need is: • Two hand weights (one light, one heavier - or whatever you have) • 25 minutes of uninterrupted time • Your phone in another room Don't shortchange yourself. Take the half hour. You're worth it, and you'll feel better afterwards. Do yourself a favor and put your phone in a different room before you press play. In closing, let's return to a simple truth: "As long as you're living in your body, you can change it. In fact, you're the only person who can." Everyone else can provide influence, shift environmental factors, and ask questions, but without your conscious awareness, your body will not transform itself. And at this present moment, this is one place where we are distinctly able to exert control and exact change. Wishing you well, Domini Anne Resources for Staying Informed and Engaged: 5 Calls : A tool that simplifies civic engagement by providing phone scripts and direct contact information for your representatives on current issues. Letters from an American : Dr. Richardson's daily newsletter providing historical context for current political events, helping readers understand today's news through a historical lens. The Bulwark : news analysis platform offering fact-based reporting and thoughtful commentary on politics and culture. Sharon McMahon : Known as "America's Government Teacher," Sharon provides non-partisan political education and civics information in accessible formats. |
Domini Anne
• I help people fully inhabit their bodies and guide teachers to do the same • Get access to exclusive videos, articles and teachings from Domini Anne
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