We did a class on lacing the other week which made me think about progression. It’s not something often talked about… but it’s so important for building a sustainable challenge for the body.
The slow, gradual build-up is something that my partner is using a lot, giving me a chance to accustomed to the challenge, and embrace it in an organic way.
We often start standing, standing for a long time, whilst more and more ropes are added to my body. Heavy binding on my chest, squeezing my waist.. My partner’s intention is to exhaust me, and it definitely does the trick, but I also feel that the slowness of the process gives me time to develop the relationship with these ties and forms before we go into the air.
The opposite approach, having a strong sudden impact feels like a jolt. It will cause the bracing effect… to close up, to protect myself. With the slow progression, I’m melting into the harness, not bracing.
Once I’m in the air, I feel that my body befriended the restraint and, in a weird way, I also feel supported by it. We have a new dimension – gravity – but the harness will be something that will give me strength and reassurance.
There is another side to it. Emotional processing requires time.
It takes time for rope to work its way down into the flesh, bringing out deep feelings and emotions.
Deep feelings – per definition – are not living on the surface. It takes time to let it come out. For most of us, our bodies need to build trust in order to let go and open up. Slow progression allows for this “trust building”. Very often, in my observation, the situation “I cannot let go” comes simply from doing too much too fast…
So if you are looking for depth, for emotional connection, for trust, slowness is your friend. It’s not something we can push. We need to let it unfold. Let the rope speak and let the body answer in its own time.
But it’s even more than that.
In a way, the slow progression is always an exercise of letting go: on both sides of the rope. Letting go of that impatienceto do something great, impressive, outstanding, extraordinary. Letting go of our build-up expectations and our need for grandiosity.
It’s another expression of restraint – that we voluntarily impose on ourselves, in order to create and cherish the moment. Falling out of the routine, falling into the moment… Isn’t it all what it is about?
Picture (c) Denis Stolarik