Movement and Stillness are in-fact a kind of Acceptance Alex. Travis was right it can bring you contentment and peace by taking away the immediate problems that are swirling around in your brain.
While you are moving you are concentrating on your activities. While you are Still in your thinking you are resting your mind. This is a ‘SORT’ of meditation, but it all boils down to ACCEPTANCE.
For me, movement and stillness don’t always feel like acceptance straight away though. Sometimes I go into them because I’m overwhelmed or restless, not because I’m at peace with things. But what I’ve noticed is that both can lead me there, in a quieter, more indirect way.
Movement pulls me out of the spiral just enough to breathe again. Stillness lets things settle without me constantly reacting to them.
So I think I’d say (for me) it’s less about starting from acceptance, and more about creating the space where acceptance can actually show up on its own.
So true! I’ve noticed the same, movement helps me release, but stillness is where I actually hear myself again. The balance between the two is everything 🤍
Well said. Yoga teaches one to automate action - that frees the mind to prepare for meditation - mediation allows for reflection and ultimately reaching the Self 🙏🏽
I’ve noticed that when the body settles into something familiar, the mind follows in a quieter way, almost without effort… but enough to create a bit of space.
And that space… it feels less like something you reach, and more like something you recognize when everything else softens a little.
Alexandra, I find myself agreeing — and also holding another truth alongside it. Stillness is essential for the mind and spirit. And at 75, gentle movement feels just as important — not pushing, but listening to a body with its own long story. After 50 years of yoga, it’s this balance that feels most true to me.
Judy, I really appreciate this - especially the way you describe listening to a body with its own long story. That so nice and softly said.
Nowadays it’s easy to talk about movement in a push-forward kind of way, but you’re pointing to feeling more attuned… almost like a conversation rather than an effort.
And that balance you mention - after so many years of practice - it feels lived, not theoretical.
I practice yoga regularly too. It’s nice to know you have practice it for so long. It’s amazing to have that in common.
Thank you — I really appreciate this. You’re right, it becomes less about effort and more about listening over time. A kind of quiet conversation with the body. I’m so glad we share this practice.
Movement and Stillness are in-fact a kind of Acceptance Alex. Travis was right it can bring you contentment and peace by taking away the immediate problems that are swirling around in your brain.
While you are moving you are concentrating on your activities. While you are Still in your thinking you are resting your mind. This is a ‘SORT’ of meditation, but it all boils down to ACCEPTANCE.
That’s extremely clever Alex you are going down the right path. 👏👏👏👏👏
For me, movement and stillness don’t always feel like acceptance straight away though. Sometimes I go into them because I’m overwhelmed or restless, not because I’m at peace with things. But what I’ve noticed is that both can lead me there, in a quieter, more indirect way.
Movement pulls me out of the spiral just enough to breathe again. Stillness lets things settle without me constantly reacting to them.
So I think I’d say (for me) it’s less about starting from acceptance, and more about creating the space where acceptance can actually show up on its own.
What works is the way stillness is framed not as absence, but as a form of attention. The discomfort around it is acknowledged rather than bypassed.
That keeps the reflection grounded...
Yes indeed… the discomfort from stillness can be very annoying… but extremely valuable… to our mind, body and soul…
So true! I’ve noticed the same, movement helps me release, but stillness is where I actually hear myself again. The balance between the two is everything 🤍
Thanks Andrea. I am happy it resonates with you.
Well said. Yoga teaches one to automate action - that frees the mind to prepare for meditation - mediation allows for reflection and ultimately reaching the Self 🙏🏽
I’ve noticed that when the body settles into something familiar, the mind follows in a quieter way, almost without effort… but enough to create a bit of space.
And that space… it feels less like something you reach, and more like something you recognize when everything else softens a little.
So true, did a piece on automating action some time back (inspired by the Bhagavad Gita). Hopefully it seems familiar and resonates 🙏🏽
https://aksreflections.substack.com/p/exhaustion-or-evolution-whats-your?r=648q8k&utm_medium=ios
I will read it get back to you.
Alexandra, I find myself agreeing — and also holding another truth alongside it. Stillness is essential for the mind and spirit. And at 75, gentle movement feels just as important — not pushing, but listening to a body with its own long story. After 50 years of yoga, it’s this balance that feels most true to me.
Judy, I really appreciate this - especially the way you describe listening to a body with its own long story. That so nice and softly said.
Nowadays it’s easy to talk about movement in a push-forward kind of way, but you’re pointing to feeling more attuned… almost like a conversation rather than an effort.
And that balance you mention - after so many years of practice - it feels lived, not theoretical.
I practice yoga regularly too. It’s nice to know you have practice it for so long. It’s amazing to have that in common.
Thank you — I really appreciate this. You’re right, it becomes less about effort and more about listening over time. A kind of quiet conversation with the body. I’m so glad we share this practice.
Do you still practice yoga from time to time?
Yes, usually 3 times a week. I wish I found time daily.
Amazing. What kind of yoga do you practice? I practice Vinyasa and Yin.
At my yoga studio, what I practice is called Gentle Yoga and Gentle Flow. I have taken Yin classes in the past.