OK, here’s your word for the day: “Pandiculate” That’s a big one, sure to earn you a lot of points if you’re a Scrabble player. Keep it in your back pocket, it might come in handy.

I’m not sure why that word comes to mind today, but it pops into my head every so often whenever I pause to do it. Which is actually pretty often.

Lately, I’ve been noticing those in-between moments, typically, when I’m shifting from one activity to another, when I pause, take a deep breath, and lift my head and stretch my spine as far as I can.

I’m always surprised at how much length I seem to gain as well as how far I’ve succumbed to the forces of gravity when I indulge in a good stretch. It’s as if there’s a string attached to the top of my head, lifting me up and away from the pull of the planet.

It’s something to think about. When one of those somatic moments of awareness hits you, the most fun you can have is to go with the flow. Soma flows both ways. We say that someone who is feeling good about themselves is “walking with their head held high”.

It works the same in reverse. The act of pausing, stretching, breathing and lifting your head as high as the sky elevates your state of mind right along with it.

But back to our word of the day. Pandiculation is defined as “the act of stretching oneself, especially upon waking.” If you need a coach, mentor, or facilitator to help you along, just look for your nearest cat.

That sleepy in-between moment, when you awaken and yawn and stretch your limbs is one of the most scrumptious times of the day. Of all the moments where you can simply pause and relish the feeling of your own body, that’s got to be one of the best.

So let this be a reminder to make the most of that special space in between your mind and body. And in case you didn’t know the word for it yet, well, there you are!

Much love till next Monday!

M+

Mark Metz
Director of the Dance First Association
Publisher of Conscious Dancer Magazine