The Alps near Susa, Italy. Yes, I climbed up there!
My vacation to Paris/Provence/Turin/Milan wrapped up a couple of weeks ago, and I am savoring the memories.
Part of this was a family vacation with lots of relaxing around the pool, reading, strolling into the village of Aubignan to the boulangerie — as well as the one bar that hosted a World Cup watch party for France in the semi-finals.
But where we weren’t lolling about, we walked everywhere! In cities, small towns, around medieval palaces and bridges, and up mountains. I generally value walking, not only for the physical benefits it offers, but because it affords me much-needed time for reflection. On vacation it’s not the same: you are actively engaging with wonderful and surprising new sights, sounds, and smells. Watching where you are going. Sometimes carefully considering how you place one foot in front of the other (on pesky subway stairs with too much literal baggage, as well as up Alpine mountain paths).
But this focus brings its own kind of relaxation. I find that being in the moment, connecting so intently, physically, to what is happening, offers a mental vacation from the daily noise of my life. The background static that often gets in the way of deeper thought. To me, that is what “getting away from it all” means. Not necessarily leaving all decisions and tasks to others. Not turning off my mind, but tuning out the distractions. So my thoughts are clearer. Amazing how restful and restorative that can be!
When I work with my clients, we explore the connection between physical and mental focus. We don’t do anything strenuous. We modify breathing and posture so we can maintain a relaxed, aligned “instrument” for voicing a powerful message.
If I could, I would take them all on a retreat! To walk some narrow cobblestone streets or climb a lower alpine trail. But for now, we’ll do our stretch-whooshes, throw balls of sound, and ride the resonance elevator.
And realize that getting out of your head and into your body can be its own kind of mini-vacation.
