[mind/body]FLOW: A reconnection with one's self

A post-pandemic reflections series

We found ourselves drifting away from many things to which we had grown accustomed in our lives.

The scarcity of human contact in social settings sought to regress our general experience in such a way that many of us began to forget what it had been like to proceed. Forward motion had become a distant glimmer on the horizons of our past, as if eons had passed in mere months. Blood thickening to molasses and lethargically oozing through an eternal quarantine as one begins to relegate themselves to this new life of confinement and solitude.

Endless hours spent sitting on the couch, working from home, experiencing more and more awkward posture every day. Bored by the unchanged environment around us and with no perspectives of a redemptive change of scenery at the end of our working days.

What light would be brought to such darkness, but one of physical motion and fluidity?

The ones of us allowed to leave their home immediately tried to recover the pleasure of a run or a swim, but sometimes they ended only practicing a mechanical act, needed for escaping the boredom or, even worse, obsessed with their weight and physical shape, completely unable to restore a deep connection with their inner energy.

We suddenly realized how much difficult was to recover the powerful balance we gain every time we move with joy connecting our soul and our body. We discovered a new, unexpected, consequence of the whole pandemic experience that was hard to pass: for so many months we were unable to freely move and be ourselves that it was like our brain was no longer ready to focus on our own body, and our own perceptions.

The series [mind/body]FLOW:A reconnection with one's self is a celebration of the mind-body flow finally recovered, our body finally free to express itself moving in the space around us without constraints.

Giulia and Andrea accompanied me in this exploration using the language of martial arts and dance. Inherent physical movement in opposing form, both skilled and precise while maintaining beauty in motion.

We planned an outdoor shooting to fight the lack of motivation and restart to move with the flow in the open air. Direction was minimal, I asked them to just free their minds, focus on their perceptions and start moving.

There was a light breeze and a few warm sun rays able to penetrate the clouds, background noise from far traffic and some nice birds singing.

It was a touching moment when they started breathing, focused on their perception and finally moved, the way they feel right and enjoy more, inspired by the moment, with no interruptions or constraints.

Andrea executed two full sequences of several Kung Fu forms. The whole practice was really moving to see. A strong expression of energy flowing. Definitely no a “Flower fists and brocade legs” as they say about a martial artist that only emphasized the beauty of the art without cultivation of the inner vital force.

Completely captivated by the harmony of scene I suddenly realized how practicing a sequence is a perfect metaphor of our journey toward a true mindful movement.

When starting practicing a sequence the body is tense, and the speed and power have to be sacrificed until the student is able to master the moves through repetition. Breathing is unregulated and the mind can barely remember which move comes next. But overtime, the body becomes more familiar with the movements, speed and power increase. Breathing is more natural and the mind can finally start focusing on the vital force that heightens sensitivity and increases power.

Isn’t it the same path we are on during this post-pandemic recovery?

Tense bodies and unfocused minds that need practice and repetition to truly restore a connection with our inner energy.

Along the same path Giulia started her practice with a good warm up: awakening her body from the lethargic state, funneling her energy and collecting her creative force. After a deep breath she started improvising.

Full choreographic sequences full of floor moves, jumps and static poses. A very different moment, but still highly emotional: a time of creation and experimentation, still conveyed through controlled and experienced moves but in a less rigid scheme.

Watching her movements I fell enchanted by the power of our bodies, the shapes and the moves that we can perform, the rhythm and the noise of every step and jump.

Her dancing was a flow of energy that involved all the senses. Those senses that for too long stayed unused, unable to awaken forgotten emotions.

A magical sunset led us to the conclusion of this extraordinary experience.

Tired but invigorated by the power released by our bodies we bade farewell to the day knowing that the path to recover is long, but today we made a step forward.

Recovering after what happened is a long way. Some days we would not make any progress and be back laying on the couch but we should not be discouraged. If this pandemic taught us something is that we need to be indulgent with ourselves.

Try everyday to make a small step, run, jump, swim, practice whatever feels good for your mood and your body. Do not focus on goals too much (not on your shape, neither on your weight) and just enjoy the moment.

This is indeed my wish, that after all this mess we understand better how mind and body are connected and that taking care of one means strengthen the other.

I wish you all to get back to move with joy and mindfulness.

Models: Andrea Maselli and Giulia Venditti

Words: Graham A. Johnson and Laura Fanfarillo

Pictures: Laura Fanfarillo