Mix up Your Pace in Decisions, Running and Self-talk
Changing our pace helps us connect to our present moments differently. When I run, I always start slow because I have to warm up my body to the act of running, even if I am a runner everyday. As I start slow, my tempo increases naturally as my body warms up.
When we try to live our lives at the same pace every day, we burn out. There’s an art to pacing and it is not only reserved for a sport like running. It is essential to how we live, think, make decisions and talk to ourselves.
It is hard to change paces and to recognize the need to mix it up in different settings and environments. And if it were easy to pace ourselves, we wouldn’t get burnt out or feel overwhelmed.
I am here with a friendly reminder that when we pace ourselves effectively (both fast and slow!), we find a flow that leads us towards progress. It helps us to navigate challenges with more grace and ease.
How? It enables us to maintain a steady momentum, adapt to changes, and savor the beauty of the present moment. And this is where we can experience immense clarity.
Imagine for a second if Yoga were a fast practice. What would happen to your experience of Yoga? Surely it wouldn’t be a bad experience, just a new and different one that would take some getting used to. While Yoga is perceived to always be slow and running fast, I want to break each of them free from this identity.
Yoga can be a fast, just like running can be slow. And having the fast and slow in each brings a different acceptance and celebration to the ‘right’ pace for the ‘right’ day.
Pacing well not only enhances our performance but also enriches our experiences, making every step of the journey more enjoyable, fulfilling… and dare I say playful?!
Pacing brings harmony to our mind and body. And we see our surroundings and internal world differently at different paces.
For example, on runs, when I pace myself down, I see the world around me in detail. I feel my feet hit the earth with every stride and I can feel and smell the air going into my lungs.
When I dial up my pace, I feel my heart beating faster and my knees working with my hips to propel me forward. I see the go-zone ahead of me on the pavement or trail, but not much else.
Both experiences are great and helpful to my mind falling into harmony with my body in the present moments.
