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A medical student's quest for clarity, balance, and fulfillment.
"Increase, and Breathe...?"
Readers have been asking what's up with my URL. I never even thought I'd HAVE readers; hence the vagueness. So here goes. In another realm of my life, I'm a cycling coach. I've named this blog after a drill that accidentally became what the NYC indoor cycling world came to associate as "my thing," and a concept that took on a life of its own. Technically, it's simple -- it's just a phrase I use when I do a standard drill of "progressive loading" (increasing intensity graaaaaaaaadually while maintaining fluid breathing, increasing so subtly to "trick" the heart to remain at exactly the same rate even though it's doing more work). Over time, the increase in intensity can be huge -- but the heart rate is exactly the same, comfortable and relaxed; if one increased all at once, one's heart rate would shoot through the roof and would thus not be able to sustain the effort. By loading intensity (that is, accepting challenge) gradually, and empowering one's self through breathing and an intention of desired response, the effort is sustainable... and then some. It's not rocket science; it's biofeedback -- a concept used in various realms of clinical medicine and psychology (my former world). It's an effective training drill, and an effective life experience for one to be able to appreciate one's self-efficacy in controlling their physiological responses to challenge.
Over time, my riders took "Increase, and breathe" to places I never expected. Humbling places. One woman said it to herself when she quit her toxic job. Another used it to inspire herself to leave an abusive relationship. Still another uses it daily as she cares for her dying father. I never expected these stories. They weren't supposed to happen; it was just a drill. A drill that ultimately became the way I see my world, through the eyes of the special people who contribute all of the nuances and subtleties that give it meaning and purpose.
Over time, my riders took "Increase, and breathe" to places I never expected. Humbling places. One woman said it to herself when she quit her toxic job. Another used it to inspire herself to leave an abusive relationship. Still another uses it daily as she cares for her dying father. I never expected these stories. They weren't supposed to happen; it was just a drill. A drill that ultimately became the way I see my world, through the eyes of the special people who contribute all of the nuances and subtleties that give it meaning and purpose.
Quote(s) du Jour
"When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world."
- George Washington Carver
"Don’t let yourself be. Find something new to try, something to change. Count how often it succeeds and how often it doesn’t. Write about it."
- Atul Gawande, M.D.
"Herein lies the secret of true power: Learn, by constant practice, how to husband your resources and concentrate them at any given moment upon any given point."
- James Allen
"To heal a person, one must first be a person."
- Abraham Joshua Heschel
- George Washington Carver
"Don’t let yourself be. Find something new to try, something to change. Count how often it succeeds and how often it doesn’t. Write about it."
- Atul Gawande, M.D.
"Herein lies the secret of true power: Learn, by constant practice, how to husband your resources and concentrate them at any given moment upon any given point."
- James Allen
"To heal a person, one must first be a person."
- Abraham Joshua Heschel