Wading Through The Transition Zone
I traveled to Boulder, CO two weeks ago for an immersion of learning with masters of their trade who have a real passion for doing the work and sharing that in a fully engaging way. I explored the human body both through the inner world of fascia at the Laboratories of Anatomical Enlightenment with Todd Garcia studying the Anatomy Trains Myofascial Meridians with Tom Myers, Melanie Burns, Laurie Nemetz, and Holly Clemens; and the outer word of movement at Boulder Movement Collective with Matt Bernstein and Zack Finer. I am returning home and back to my routines filled up and overflowing with excitement, deep knowledge and understanding, and a sense of renewal.
My biggest takeaway: There is nothing quite like learning from the doers - the ones who get in and do the work AND who know when to rest, pause or reset from years of experience; the ones who are just exploding with love for what they do; the ones who listen and base the learning and objectives on the current need of the student(s) ready to adapt as needed.
Two other themes that came up in both the dissection course and the movement classes I am returning home with are: discipline and adaptation/change/transition zone. What better way to kick off 2020 than with this learning and these reminders?! January is thought to be named after the Roman God Janus of doorways, signifying a time of beginnings and endings - a time of transition and change that often feels like the middle - it takes discipline to be in the middle making your way through the transition zone where growth and adaptation happens.
1. Discipline - “Do it or don’t, there’s no in between.” as said by Zack Finer, instructor at Boulder Movement Collective. This is such a simple statement, but also such a heavy statement - how often do you just go through the motions? Or multi-task at the expense of paying attention to nothing you’re doing? Or start something only to get distracted and never go back and finish it? Each of these are all to common for us, myself included, and lead to us not really doing anything; it’s hard to realize how often we each do this, yet with a little discipline it feels so damn good to really get things done. Yes, actually doing it all the way to the end takes discipline, more for some than others. But, no, discipline doesn’t always have to be harsh, intense, or lead to stress overload.
In perfect harmony, I was reminded by Todd Garcia, director of the Laboratories of Anatomical Enlightenment, that “discipline is created and achieved intentionally, and will increase through practical experience,” “...to experience calm when confronted with discomfort...” and to “rest while you work.” In other words pay attention, observe, be present (not just going through the motions, multi-tasking, or not having enough left in the tank to finish) - be focused but relaxed, a more gentle approach to discipline. What a concept; again, simple, but heavy. Todd reminded us to slow down, pause, and allow things to come to us, so that we don’t just barge on through something only to realize we needed what we just cut through. This mindset gave me new perspective on how soft and approachable discipline can be.
With discipline and these new thoughts, new approaches, and new habits, change doesn’t just happen, it takes practical experience, time, repetition, and likely some mistakes along the way, which leads us to wading (or waiting) through “the transition zone”, the doorway, the middle.
2. Adaptation/Change/Transition - On my last morning in Boulder I took a short bike ride out to Legion Park to view the Rockies from a new vantage point as recommended by David, the photographer and videographer for the week at the Laboratories of Anatomical Enlightenment. As I rode to the edge of the city I was amazed how quickly the development changed and reflected on my day of dissection the day before as we tried to separate the fascial layers of the thoracolumbar fascia when suddenly one layer would just end. Then as I arrived at the park, I read the sign which started with, “You are standing in the transition zone between two great geographic regions in North America: the Front Range of the Southern Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains. The abrupt and dramatic rise from the mile-high prairie to over 14,000 feet at Longs Peak creates the rich diversity of landscapes, life zones, and ecosystems found in Boulder County.” I re-read this line at least 3 times and had so many analogies for this statement to the world of fascia and our own bodies where layers blend and landscapes shift, behavior change that can sometimes be slow or suddenly all at once and movement adaptation that can take days, months or years of practice. This also reminded what a sense of hope and renewal a transition zone can have with “the rich diversity of landscapes, life zones, and ecosystems.”
From this reflection I realized how much I like this term the “the transition zone,” but no matter what you call it, this “zone” or change/adaptation requires experimentation, repetition, and time; whether abrupt or gradual there is always distance to travel. How much of each of these factors (eperimentation, repetition, and time), how much distance, and what the view along the way is, is what creates the diversity, landscapes, life zones, and ecosystems.
When we continue to bring this analogy to human life, remember that each of us is unique and ever changing with our own inner and outer landscapes and ecosystems. Each of us with will experience change and adaptation at different times, different rates, and with different reactions. All of this variability can seem overwhelming and/or exhilarating, and sometimes both at once especially when you consider the discipline needed to navigate this transition zone. Find someone, a team, or even an engaging place to help you on this exploration.
Great teachers and committed peers along with the organization, moments of slowing down and reflection, and time outside I was provided with helped me feel much more exhilarated than overwhelmed. My hope and intention is to bring even just a glimmer of this into my personal and professional life as I start of 2020 with my word of the year being GROWTH. If you are seeking help with discipline or wading through the transition zone you’re currently navigating, reach out or come check out a class or workshop.
