Instead of a one-minute exercise today, I’m asking for two minutes of your time, so that we can explore opposites - 100%, pure, give-it-your-all, power-through, surging physical effort vs. patient, calm, quiet, perfect physical stillness.
Note that we are working in the physical realm today. Use your body as a tool or instrument or vehicle for this exercise.
For the first minute, choose any physical activity where you are really effort-ing. During the activity, I’d like for you to feel like you are really going full-steam into whatever you have chosen. It can be jogging in place, running with high knees, doing push-ups, squatting and jumping, skipping as high as you can go, shaking out some big, bold dance moves… or whatever will really get your body going. As soon as your minute is up, drop right in for minute #2…
For the second minute, sit. Be still. Try not to do anything. Just let your body begin to settle on its own. The more peacefully and patiently you sit, the more you will feel. You just gave 100% to moving and shaking and giving your energy. Can you match that with 100% tranquility and welcoming back your own energy?