By Linda Shelton, Fitness and Wellness Educator; Beamfit™ Communication Director
Control is one of those yin-yang words that, either way you use it in a sentence, usually sounds negative. "Get control of yourself;" "Control your children in public" "Seize majority control over that company;" "Control your desire for chocolate;" Her blood sugar levels are not controlled yet; the list goes on and on. On the other hand, we also use CONTROL in these circumstances; he lost control of his car, she's not in control of her finances; the officials lost any control over the crowd.
When we're in CONTROL, whether it be our finances, job, or body, we feel that our opinion matters, and our ability to manage and transcend stressful situations and our own life is within our capabilities. When we feel out of control, life usually feels chaotic, spiraling and out of balance; the ground beneath us is not stable. Neurally, emotionally and physically, the body responds to lack of control reactively and negatively with anger, anxiety, depression, amped emotions. How we respond to this unpleasant phenomenon in our life is usually exacerbated by the physical sense of no control that translates into poor choices in eating, exercise or lifestyle habits.
In Beaming™, Control refers in the physical sense, to the ability to perform exercises on the Beam while being centered and focused with minimal wobbling. Control on the Beam is also dependent upon your ability to release or relinquish stress so that you're without tension or rigidity. At the same time, your mind and body is integrated to maximize your ability to move; you have the power and jurisdiction over your own body. Your body soon learns that when you lose your balance on the Beam, you have the ability to "right" yourself and gain control, not by fighting the fall, but by re-focusing and re-centering so you can be 'present' without panic.
When your body is more relaxed and in balance, you actually gain Control. The Beam's constant balance challenges puts us on alert, forcing us to be aware, reactive and responsive in the moment and to do so without stress or losing Control, just as we need to do in daily life. You can learn how to re-gain Control in any area of your life by applying the same techniques you learn to employ on the Beam, by learning how to relinquish to lack of Control by being in the moment and allowing your mind and body to work through the challenge. You have the ability to change the quality of your reaction and your energy, reunite your mind and body and feel in Control in a very short time.
You can apply the Principle of Control in your life by learning to recognize your physical reaction to when you feel yourself spiraling and how it causes you to feel like you're losing Control. Ask yourself:
1. What factors contributed to loss of Control in this situation?
2. What do I need to implement in order to gain or maintain Control of the situation?
3. What physiological or mental adaptations do I need to employ to stay balanced and stable and therefore, feel I'm in Control?
4. Can I release stress and tension without feeling like I'm losing Control?
When we can re-frame the word Control positively to indicate the ability to stay focused, calm and centered, even in scattered, tense moments, we will feel that we have the ability to navigate our own path, health and well-being and thus realize the power of Control.
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