A Little, Often: Recirculate

Boost your energy + a prompt from my new book

A Little, Often is a monthly feature on Balance Practice, offering a (practical) yoga-inspired practice to support you to come into balance off the mat, where it matters most.

Illustrations: Rebekah MacKay for Move, Rest, Recover

A new season is upon us — don’t wait. Recirculate.

So much of what we perceive as more or better energy is, in fact, better circulation. I keep thinking about this. I wrote it in my new book and I can feel my body reminding me of this truth lately in moments when I notice stagnation (late winter lethargy?), nudging me to say yes — yes okay, let’s move.

Even gentle, subtle movements can help us to access an uptick. Quickening, flow, fluidity, circulation, energy — What word best describes to you the innate urge to shrug off the duvet, shed a layer, ease malaise? More important — How do you action that intuition and in doing so move yourself into balance?

I write and teach a lot about rest and I think it’s really important to note that recovery doesn’t always require stillness. Moving our bodies and energy is also deeply restorative. Gentle motion helps to increase fluidity — the ability to move with optimal power and minimal dysfunction — and equates to an energizing ease of movement. Mobilizing the body helps muscles, surrounding tissues, and joints to become more fluid. It also works to ease stiffness and restore range of motion, promoting full-body recovery and boosting energy. The adage, move your body and your mind will follow, also rings true.

Recirculate

When I can’t be bothered to get moving I have a go-to move. You can do it anytime and anywhere, no mat required. Use this brief movement and prompt from Move, Rest, Recover (including a glimpse into its pages) to recirculate and feel your energy, revitalized. Practice and feel the difference.