Compassionate Self Leadership
What does self leadership mean to you?
In this world where we are desperately in need of wise leaders, one of the best steps we can take is to become good self leaders. Whatever you’d want and expect from a wise leader, you can embody it in yourself.
If you expect a wise leader to be compassionate, strong, patient, cool-headed, thinking about the best interest of the whole, that’s what you can cultivate within yourself… and pass on to others whom you are guiding.
To begin, how are you guiding your body?
I like to think of those folks who are so magical at leading horses effectively without harsh tactics: “horse whisperers”, we call them. So let’s become good “body whisperers”!
Imagine a horse whisperer guiding their horse into unknown territory – an area with tall grass that may have gopher holes. They don’t whip their horse to charge forward. And they don’t allow their horse to turn around and flee. They instead let the horse sense its way through the risky terrain, hoof by hoof.
For yourself as a good self leader, you can body whisper. As you approach any somewhat risky move or new physical endeavor, Sensing your Way into a Move works very much like testing the water. Have you stood at the shore of a lake or a beach where you can’t really see the bottom? You want to step in, but you don’t really know how deep it is, how rocky it is, or what critters you might find down there. Remember how you use your toes and foot for each exploratory step? You use your foot like a blind person’s cane to find the safe path forward. That approach is what we call at the Academy of Mindful Movement Sensing our Wayinto a Move.
Sensing your Way into a Move works well for you as a Mindful Mover since it allows your body to rely upon its own data collection. Whether you’re lifting a new weight or trying a new machine at the gym, going into an unfamiliar yoga asana, or working on a tricky new dance combination with complex footwork, or maybe pushing into a faster time than your body is accustomed to yet…. Be a good self leader and Sense your Way into the Move.
Attend to your body sensations, going into the motion, so that you can make adjustments along the way to keep it safe. Do the same thing as you move into new life situations. Just like a wise leader, you can be compassionate, strong, patient, cool-headed, thinking about the best interest of your whole self: your body, your mind, your heart, your conscience.
Be a wise self leader and Sense your Way into your next Move.
If this approach appeals to you, and you coach or instruct other people to move, consider taking an Academy of Mindful Movement training. You’ll become a more effective instructor by learning to lead them mindfully, with techniques such as Sensing Your Way into a Move.
You can choose one of two trainings left this year, both in Hawai’i. For the May training only, you can take it either ONLINE, or in person. The August training is an in-person retreat. Choose one and reserve your space today!