shrug it off

This started out as a demo for shaking off stress. But the rain wasn’t too rainy. And the air wasn’t too cold. Something between the rubber boots and the barely budding trees called for more movement.

Breathe in big, shoulders up-up-up close to your ears. Exhale big, out-out-out with a shuddering sigh. Repeat as needed or infinitely. Breathe in what’s bugging you and breathe out a raging cavalcade of sludge. A respiration stream of obscenities.

Whaddya say? Come on, shrug it off. And shudder into something.

1. Stand (or sit) for a second with arms at your sides, fidget-less.
2. I know, I know! No fidgeting. How does it feel? Let that feeling change. Or not.
3. Are you breathing? Are you mad about it? Short of breath? Why?
4. You're doing nothing. But that's something.
5. Feel the something. I know, I know! I'm here for you.
6. Root your feet (or hips) down. Send the back of your skull up.
7. Soften your face. It's working too hard.
8. Inhale and raise your shoulders up, up, and more up. Expand your ribs 3D in all directions.
9. Exhale and quickly drop your shoulders like a surprise, a gut-level surprise.
10. Repeat. Or not. How do you feel?