Words to a student

image compliments of Amy2121 at Deviant Art.net

I was corresponding with a student and sharing about adding in variations of movement in my personal, daily practice:

I'll tell you what I do.  In my own practice, I do lots of little variations.  I never do any one thing more than four repetitions (usually two on each side).  I try to make each repetition a quality repetition that is breath-centric - so I feel movement not just in the limb but in the spine.  Inhale is for the upper back.  Exhale I try to sense around my belly and pelvis.  The intention is to move the spine and breath together while making these movements "out in the limbs" if that makes sense.  That coordination of breath and movement is all we need.  Things shift and change just from that gentle focus.  At least they do for me.  :)