In freeform dance, I observe people either getting uncomfortable because their body starts to get fatigued, or the mental chatter gets ancy, and they leave before it is over. Quitting out of a pose can happen for either reason as well.
I remember something my yoga teacher asked once in a long hold of a pose. Ask yourself, “is it my body that is tired or my mind?” Usually the answer was, my mind. When we stay, we stick with something long enough to get the mind on board, that we have nowhere else to be, than right here. We can let go of the “what’s next” ticking mental clock that isn’t really ever present. That is a great inquiry for us when we are engaged in something. When are we being truly present, and when are we not?
And what does being truly present mean? I would recommend observing yourself to find out. Usually there is at least one thing in our life that we are truly present with. And then see how to bring that to other tasks and experiences. This is really important in the extreme sport called life, that moves faster and faster and faster.
Notice when you are moving on to the next thing in your head, take a breath, re-center your attention, and stay.
About Nadine Lollino
Nadine Lollino has been creating and performing in the arts of dance, costume making and video since 2002. She currently creates as MovementLab. Nadine has previously danced with Anatomical Dance Theater, Breakbone Dance Co., and the Humans, all Chicago-based companies and was co-founder of multi-media collective PosterchildArt. She has been presenting her own works since 2005, traveling nationally and internationally.
