30 seconds of silence

Part of the music ed degree requires students to go to "real" schools and observe "real" teachers. It was always pretty amazing how much you could learn from just watching a choral rehearsal from the teacher standpoint rather than the singer. I'll never forget picking up on a little trick that a teacher I observed in the fall used. Before every rehearsal, the students would participate in "30 seconds of silence." It's exactly what it sounds like. It was a 30 second period of no talking. The teacher explained to us that it took some getting used to. The students were pretty confused when he first asked them try it. He had to coach them in the beginning, asking them to empty their minds of other classes, boys, homework, time, etc. It's pretty difficult to let your mind relax, especially for a full 30 seconds.

Since I've been in Tucson I've gone to a few yoga classes with Maggie. I'm starting to really like it and feel the benefits. Already certain poses are feeling more and more accessible to me (though I'm still pretty awful). However, the greatest part of yoga is savasana. Savasana is a "pose" that is done at the end of every class. It's simply just lying on your back in a completely relaxed state. The music is soothing and yoggies are to concentrate on their breath and empty their minds. I'm not sure how long savasana usually is, but it feels like forever. If I had to guess I'd say it's about 5 minutes long, but it's probably only about 3.

After the few times I've been to yoga, I'm beginning to feel that everyone should practice savasana each day. We all have 3 minutes to spare. I'm always amazed at how relaxed I'm able to get and how refreshed I feel afterward. I'm not even that great at it...my mind is still thinking, but it's just wandering. It could be a long time before I allow myself to truly concentrate solely on breathing and nothing else. However, it's still so relaxing to let your mind just wander. I often use it as a way to gauge what's important to me, what I should concentrate on for the next few days, or where my heart is. I know, I know, that sounds lame...but try it. Sometimes these thoughts come into my head that I had no idea I thought. I start feeling things that I had no idea I cared about. It's interesting.

I'm going to try to start doing that everyday. I don't go to yoga every day, but I can certainly do savasana or even just 30 seconds of silence. Collect your thoughts, ignore your thoughts, whatever you want to do. I feel that the more you try it, the easier it will become.

Here's to tomorrow's 30 seconds!