The Practice
It’s Taylor’s world, and we just live in it. But while we’re here, we might as well take her advice and learn to “shake it off.”
When we are feeling really disconnected from our present circumstances—mind in one place, body in another—shaking our limbs can be an energizing and grounding way to bring body and mind back together. When you notice your students glancing in a random direction with that thousand-yard stare, it could be a good time to introduce the tool of shaking it off. Feel free to blast the song while you shake it.
The Language
“I’m sensing that we could use a little bit of intentional movement to get us back on track. Sometimes when we have a lot going on in our minds, it is useful to let that energy out by doing some body looseners. When we are tense, we can be like uncooked noodles, but when we are relaxed, we can be more like spaghetti. So we’re going to shake it off.”
Let’s start by standing up tall and letting our arms hang by our sides. Now start to shake your arms, slowly at first, and then with increasing speed. How wiggly can you make them? See if you can bounce on your feet while keeping your arms steady so that your hands become super loose. Now we’ll get our feet involved. Lift up one leg and start shaking your foot. Can your foot be as loose and jiggly as your hand was? Try it on the other side. Now let’s see if we can put it all together. Can you shake your arms and legs and hands and feet all at once? Are there any other parts of your body that could benefit from a gentle shake?
Nice work! Be one with the spaghetti. Now have a seat and pause for a moment to notice how that activity made your mind and body feel. Do you have more energy? Do your muscles feel tense or relaxed?
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