I’m not a huge fan of powering through any movement for any reason. You’ll hear trainers scream ‘Five more! C’mon! Push!’ Know what that does? Causes a client to potentially use their back to lift instead of their legs… to push OUT their belly instead of pulling it up… to land the wrong way on an ankle or a knee. Nope. Not a fan.
The real results of mindful movement cannot be disputed. I’ll often tell my students and clients that I’d rather them do three compound movements perfectly than power through 20. That philosophy helps them achieve actual success in movement (versus failure and disappointment), and sets up a strong foundation from which to build. I have never had a single student or client revolve around a ‘minimal effort‘ zone; rather I’ve watched them grow in leaps and bounds, from struggling in a downward dog to sticking their first handstand. I’ve watched them struggle in confusion about what to eat, to seamlessly negotiating food to both enjoy and serve their specific energetic output.
To truly measure progress, one must start with a tangible foundation. It’s okay if you’re not where you want to be. But it’s important to have a real understanding of where you are so that you can make the choice to mindfully grow from that space. Otherwise you’re just moving without purpose, and no success was ever maintained in that way.
If you want to grow… truly grow… come as you are, use what you have, and do what you can.
You’ll get there.
-Shahada Karim