It's Not Too Late: The Art of the Micro-Reset

Last weekend was my first kyu test, and I was extremely happy with it!  I felt like I had the space to really show off my artillery of techniques, I had pretty good form throughout, and I kept smiling.  My freestyle needed some work, but there's always something.  Here's a pic from the test - one of the instructors gave a special request for me to do the "hurricane throw," my perennial favorite and not one usually called for on tests.

What I was most pleased with on my test though, was a single moment.  I doubt the instructors, audience, or uke even noticed.  At some point, I noticed that my blood was pumping, my adrenaline was rushing, I was breathing quickly, and I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of the techniques I'd been throwing.  So, I launched uke in a line-throw, and while he was recovering, I took a deep breath and reset.  I was no longer overwhelmed, and I felt my poise return and strengthen.

This is the kind of moment I'd love to feel constantly on the mat, and be better about bringing into life off the mat.  It is so easy to be overwhelmed by life, even when doing things we love.  Whether it is being swallowed up by research or grading (as I often am), having a boss assign 10 tasks with no hint of prioritizing, getting angry at a friend or loved one, trying to deal with one or more cranky children, or any of the other myriad things life attacks us with, stepping back is the key.

In the moment, it can feel like there's no turning back.  Someone just said something infuriating, and there's no way you can't snap.  Your due-dates are impending and you're about to cry.  But, what my test reminded me is that you can always step back.  Whatever your vocabulary, you can "center," "find one-point," "refocus," "get in the zone," or simply breathe.  This doesn't have to be a long process.  All it takes is one breath, and the determination to face the task or person in a more centered, mindful way.  There is always time for that, and you can always start fresh afterwards.  This can lead to more kind interpersonal communication, more focused work, a happier outlook, and of course, better technique.

One sensei of mine wrote a book on centering in which she recounted a story of Ueshiba Sensei, our founder.  When asked how he stayed centered all the time, he responded that he constantly lost center, but regained it to quickly that no one noticed.  This is a goal for life as well as practice, and to me, the quick recovery is the key.  This reset can and should occur at any time, and it is always a way to salvage a situation.