Safety first!

I slammed hard into the bright white wall of the tai chi studio. A few years before I began to run, I took the Nia Technique white belt training. During one day of the course, our teacher instructed each of us trainees to free dance, moving spontaneously. When my turn came, I concentrated hard, allowing my body to move as it wanted, deeply focused on thoughts and body sensations. And I didn’t see the wall coming. Gratefully, I bounced to the floor with no injury. But it taught me a strong lesson: Safety first.

Sitting meditation rarely poses any physical threat. Although you could conceivably sprain a wrist if you fall asleep and slide onto the floor while meditating in a chair, meditation generally offers a safe way to practice something powerful and sublime.

But when you combine meditation practice with movement and that movement happens outdoors, and especially if that outdoors includes motorized  vehicles such as the cars in your neighborhood or barnyard animals (think yoga with goats), the chances of injury increase exponentially.

Stay aware of your surroundings. Be mindful not just of your object of meditation, but of the things happening at the edges of your awareness. Those baby goats you’re frolicking with in downward dog have sharp little hooves.

Be practical.

If you’re running or walking on a street, face traffic. If you’re outdoors at night anywhere near vehicles, wear a lighted vest or, at minimum, a reflector. Inexpensive, clip-on blinkers might mean the difference between you coming home safely and your loved ones receiving a heartbreaking  call.

I have included more than twenty “Your Turn” exercises in the book Make Every Move a Meditation.

This excerpt is from Make Every Move a Meditation by Nita Sweeney which is available now through Amazon and Mango Media.