connect

Posted by Anita Bondi on November 22, 2011 under Anita Bondi | 4 Comments to Read

Day 2 of interesting ways to use the InterPlay Inspiration Deck

Last week I brought the idea of connection to my InterPlay class.  Phil Porter introduced the idea of small circles of connection  a few years ago and I love to play with it often when leading groups.

Finish this sentence: I belong to a small circle of people who ________?  Some answers from last week’s class:

• wear hats all year long
• have my own website
• have red hair
• would not be caught dead without lipstick

From the ridiculous to the sublime these are the ways we connect with one another, find our intersections, or lack thereof.

Using the InterPlay Inspiration Deck, I asked the group to each pick a card. I invited them to hold loosely and lightly the question: Is there something that could help me feel more connected to myself and to others? Something that would aid and guide me when I am feeling stuck or scared in my relationship to myself or others?

Here are a few of the cards that were chosen:

• following and leading
• stillness
• improvise

I led the group through a variety of experiences using movement, noticing and contact.

Everyone had profound noticings about how to use their particular card to help them have more of what they want and desire in connection to themselves and those around them.

I will share some of my own. I used the closed eyes shuffle approach to choose my card. I got Following and Leading. The first exercise we did was a solo dance in our own small dance bubble. This was followed by a medium dance bubble solo dance and then a large bubble solo dance. The medium and large bubbles overlapped with other people’s bubbles which helped to begin the investigation of connecting with others. At first I was unsure about how to do following and leading with myself. Within minutes though I was filled with ideas: use my right side to lead and my left to follow, set up a pattern and follow it, take something in the room and follow that, use my feet to lead and my hands to follow. And when the dance bubbles overlapped I had even more fun following and leading with the bodies I came in contact with (whether they were actually aware of me or not!)

Some of my noticings about following and leading:

1. setting up something very simple and repetitive works best. (this is so helpful in marriage, child rearing, and most interactions)
2. it is impossible to follow and lead at the same time. (this is so helpful in marriage, child rearing, and most interactions)
3. when I am not clearly leading nor passionately following the dance falls apart. (this is so helpful in marriage, child rearing, and most interactions)

Now it is your turn. Get your own deck and explore the possibilities!

Stillness

Posted by Anita Bondi on November 21, 2011 under Anita Bondi | 5 Comments to Read

In case you missed yesterday’s post, I am attempting to shine instead of shrink. That is a difficult sentence to write as the little Catholic school girl in me is screaming, ” Don’t brag or boast! Be humble. Let someone else toot your horn for you.”

Well, let’s start there.

Day 1 of interesting ways to use The InterPlay Inspiration Deck has begun.

A bit of history:

~the deck is based on the principles and practices of InterPlay ( read more about that by clicking on InterPlay)

~the deck was created between 2008 and 2009 as a way for me to understand the principles and practices of InterPlay in new and deeper ways

~the cards have symbols, stories, and colors to help bring the principle or practice to “life”

Back to the little Catholic school girl….what could help her?

Some of you will say, “only years of very intensive, expensive therapy.”

Today, we will try a much more inexpensive way (only $19.95): we will pick a card from the deck and see how that may apply.

Here is how I am doing that.  I am noticing what it feels like in my body to have that energy of the Catholic school girl present and I am naming it.

~tightness in my chest and upper back

~lump in my throat

I am holding the deck in my hands while noticing my body sensations and will now shuffle the deck and pick a card.

In my mind I am holding the question, ” Is there anything I can do to help change the feelings and sensations in my body?”

The card I pick is Stillness.

I notice there is a chuckle in me and that I like the colors of the card…green and purple…I will close my eyes and let those colors bathe and soothe me while I take a few deep breaths.

Okay, I’m back and about to check in with my body.

~tightness in chest is gone but still a bit in upper back

~lump in throat gone

~ I also notice my eyes feel soft as do my fingers as I type this.  I feel more calm and yes, more still inside.

Wanting to see if I can do something about the tightness that still lives in my upper back.

The deck comes with a booklet that helps with more information about the cards and some “try this” exercises.

Today, I will go to the “try this” exercises and see if one may help with my back tightness.

Here is the one I am choosing:

Stare at a tree and see stillness in action. Watch the leaves and branches move and sway. Focus on the trunk and the notice the solidity of the tree. Focus on the roots anchoring the tree. What are your roots?

For today the deck has given me two things:

1. the courage to post this blog
2. a wonderful excuse to go outside for a run and stare at trees.

Off to lace up my sneakers!

Building Intrigue

Posted by Anita Bondi on November 20, 2011 under Anita Bondi | 6 Comments to Read

Today, I am going to tell you what I intend to do.

Tomorrow, I am going to start doing what I am telling you I intend to do.

Why the wait?

~to build intrigue in you

~to build courage in me

~to figure out what will be meaningful for me so that I can actually intrigue you

~to figure out how to have the courage to actually claim what is meaningful for me

Are you Blog readers, Twitter followers, Facebook friends, or really inexpensive therapists?!

Okay here is my intention:

I intend to stop being afraid of promoting the InterPlay Inspiration Deck and give the world a chance to see what a great tool it can be for personal process and daily experiential growth.

Here is my plan:

I will write one blog post a day for a week.

I will feature various ways to use the deck.

I will be willing to “toot my own horn” and “shine instead of shrink”

That last one made me hyperventilate so I will stop there for now and just take some deep breaths.

See you tomorrow.  Let the week begin!

A broken record

Posted by Anita Bondi on October 25, 2011 under Anita Bondi | Be the First to Comment

I know, I know, I am just a broken record going around and around playing the same song!

Easy Focus/The InterPlay Inspiration Deck

I guess when I like the song I can hear it hundreds of times and never get tired of it.

The song that is playing for me right now is EASY FOCUS

Just in case you forgot the words, here they are:

Soften your gaze and grab that scrunched up place between your eyebrows. Now throw your hand up into the air and yell, WHEE!

This song is playing for me right now because my Hard Focuser is working overtime. Too many things piling up. Too many feelings crowding my space. Too many thoughts racing around in my head.

When my peripheral vision is engaged I really can see more. My breath deepens. My shoulders drop. My mind clears. I feel calm.

Some songs never get old!

Look who stopped by

Posted by Anita Bondi on October 11, 2011 under Anita Bondi | 3 Comments to Read

This beauty stopped by this afternoon and stayed for quite awhile.

Usually I am aware that hawks are messengers reminding us to lift ourselves up out of our earthly mire and get a higher perspective.

I am guilty of needing that message right now!

I did a bit of research and also found this:

As the Hawk, you will develop the ability to use your words as he uses his beak and talons to rip the heads off snakes; i.e.,the enemies or disbelievers in your life. Be mindful of your words so as not to shred those who oppose you, but take the higher road and fly above them and their way of thinking. Deliver your messages with tact and patience.

And this:
The average life span of a hawk is up to 14 years. Hawks mate for life.

I swear this one was looking right at me! My message? Any thoughts?