Morning Workout
You know, it’s never recommended to exercise after a meal. The body needs time to digest, to absorb nutrients. A walk serves to facilitate that process, or even a think.
Alongside physical nourishment comes a satisfaction of the soul. The expansion of the stomach allows for flexibility, comfort, and energy to elevate and explore the internal world.
The first cup of coffee in the morning can be a euphoric experience. The ideas come rushing forth like bath water. Instead of getting the jitters out by doing jumping jacks, I like to sit down and connect with the Teacher Within.
To warm up, we begin our breathing together. The inflow and the outflow of breath serve to tune our frequencies so that none of our power seeps out unaccounted for. When we breathe, we imagine together. What is possible today? How can I show up more heroically? Who will I be in that meeting? How can I serve that child, specifically?
After I breathe in the questions, I breathe out the questions.
Now is not the time.
I have only just warmed up.
After our warm-up, it’s time for cardio.
The heart.
It beats.
I feel it.
I ask, What is the quality of the beat?
The thoughts that vibrate from the heart’s palpitations are scattered. I blame it on the coffee.
Worry.
Will the plans work?
Why did she have to be so rude yesterday?
What will I make for dinner this evening?
The breath helps to slow the heart rate in order to have a more authentic and present meeting with the Teacher Within. I must ensure we can connect on the higher things. Thus, I must slow the heart down just a bit.
Now for the crux, the meat and potatoes of our workout: peering behind the curtain.
The curtain is extremely heavy. It’s one of those fine, ancient velvet curtains which, in this instance, does not reach only to the batten, but extends infinitely into the abyss in all directions. This curtain keeps separate the world of worry and practical matters from the world of pure intention.
The Teacher Within was born of the latter world.
That is their home.
The workout entails pulling, with the subtle quiet of your internal world, the curtain open just enough to reconnect with why we teach. It is only here, in the glow of silent wonder, that we receive great solutions to many quandaries.
Your muscles will only allow you to pull a small sliver of the curtain back for about fifteen seconds at first. Though, with time, your capacity to hold it open will increase.
Now, you wonder, why hold it open in the first place?
Before we enter our vehicles to find our way to school, we must discover the source of endless compassion. The children will need it in order to feel regulated. The stress you will feel will be calmed by it. Administrators need to feel it, especially when they face an impending catastrophe. A community needs it to flourish, to grow, and to blossom.
Finally, the cool-down.
The stretching.
We get off the couch or out of our chair and remember what was behind the curtain. We remember that warmth and celebrate that we were able to regulate our being and connect with the Teacher Within.
Now that was an inspiring session in the gymnasium!
Golden Latte for the Teacher Within
Ingredients
1½ cups unsweetened oat milk (or whole milk if preferred)
1 tsp ground turmeric
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground ginger
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp maple syrup or honey (more to taste)
1 tsp coconut oil or a small pat of grass-fed butter (optional, for richness)
Instructions
Pour the oat milk into a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
Whisk in the turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper until smooth.
Heat until steaming but not boiling, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Stir in the vanilla and maple syrup.
If using coconut oil or butter, whisk until silky.
Froth with a handheld milk frother or whisk vigorously before pouring into your favorite mug.