Entry Points

On practice

ICYMI, my new book Move, Rest, Recover is out now, an oasis of practical tools and inspiration for creating a restorative practice that truly works for you.

Illustration: Rebekah MacKay

I’ve just sunk into my sofa, lemon ginger tea steam gently fogging my glasses. A candle flickers on the ottoman, a tiny beacon before the day’s first light. The silence itself is audible in my quiet house, aside from passing wind gusts rustling bare branches and a few soft snores from my sleeping family upstairs. Listen, it seems to whisper.

There’s so much to be done, as ever. But first a mantra, the gentlest instruction —

Just drink the tea. 

An easeful entry point to my own attention each morning, I sit for a few minutes before doing anything other than filling my favourite rainbow mug. Tasks, to dos, devices all full of urgent notifications… it can all wait. It can. Warmth of a loved ceramic vessel, sunshine bright turmeric swirl, just the right ratio of spicy/pungent/sweet. My senses slowly come online and in touching the dawn this way, I greet myself and all the moments to come more sweetly. This changes everything. 

It doesn’t take long, 5 minutes, if that. 

This, my friends, is a practice.

And I’m wondering — What’s in your mug? What are your practices?

Practice needn’t be formal or fancy. Move, Rest, Recover is all about the practicality of restorative practice. One of my forever favourite and ever timely gestures, The 2-Minute Reset, comes to mind —