An Open-minded Approach to Wellness

Inspiration

Jun 14

…to save you time + money.

Scenario: You’ve exited a wellness class — yoga, breathwork, Reiki, chakra-something-balancing — and experienced 1 of these outcomes:

-Strongly considered if AmEx would issue you a refund for “services not rendered” while neck muscles tensed, grumbling, “I got nothing. What a waste.”

-Subtly stiffened grip on your yoga mat and jaw, thinking, “Indifferent. Could have spent my money on a latte, instead.”

And maybe — hopefully — you’ve left feeling this way at least once:

-Stared skyward, jaw slack, reflecting, “That. Was. Insane. My world just transformed.”

The distinction? Some of your experience naturally lies with the competence of the facilitator or teacher and the atmosphere they create — a seasoned practitioner curates an educational, beneficial offering in a safe environment. But much of your experience’s outcome lies within you.

Not the Joe Goldberg in You kinda you, but you-you. You determine a large part of the value of any course, workshop, teaching, training, or session you commit to.

How’s that?

Your open-mindedness (or lack thereof)

Open-mindedness can waver — being malleable to stray from your favorite sushi roll is a distinct mental marathon as opposed to reading an editorial claiming a thesis in staunch opposition to your moral compass. Open-mindedness doesn’t mean you flip-flop your values daily; rather, it’s your willingness to learn outside of your scope of comfort. It’s the ability to explore a perspective for the benefit of your own knowledge.

Studies suggests that open-minded people — individuals receptive to fresh ideas and data — are, on average:

curious
satisfied
willing
stronger leaders
able to think critically and rationally
more harmonious
cognitively complex

If my bet was correct, and you have found yourself in 1 of the 3 post-wellness-scenarios above, recall your state of mind coming in. Were you open-minded and ready for transformation? Or were you a Grinch-like specimen, dragged to another workshop by your excitable friend, counting on taking a nap while feigning meditation? Somewhere in between is OK — and common. We all wish for a good nap.

Same Situation; Different Receptivity

At the conclusion of my recent Reiki workshop, an attendee conceded, “I just wasn’t open to feeling anything. I usually notice or receive something with Reiki, and I just wasn’t open to it this time.”

She’d already identified her current state: she had closed off. Perhaps she was undergoing something personal and tumultuous, or maybe she was exhausted. She wasn’t open to sharing, and it’s inappropriate for me to pry.

In the same wellness scenario, a different attendee reflected, “I guess I was ready for change, and something amazing hit. It came at the right time.”

She’d also self-identified, but on the opposite side of the sliding scale. She was open to the energetic realignment Reiki and energy work can provide, so the workshop kindled an exciting sense of awe.

My offering as the facilitator was the same; yet the open-mindedness of the two women affected their outcome. Neither woman did anything “right” or “wrong” — their personal situations are unique and complex.

What I didn’t suggest for the woman — or you — feeling closed off is rushing towards more: more sessions, more workshops, or more money spent in the current state. It may seem initially logical that additional spending on something external — the “next next” workshop, class, or wellness session — but take a sacred pause before you input your credit card information, only to spend the class time thinking begrudgingly about your Trader Joe’s shopping list the entire time and closing off even more.

Try this before scheduling your next wellness appointment:

Reflect

Gently test if it feels safe to look into the “why” of any resistance. Notice if it was the offering, teacher, environment, or something else that sparked your struggle. Also, think about what you ‌prefer in a safe experience that better aligns with your personality and expectations. Your reflection may include journaling, meditation, movement, therapy, pulling an oracle or tarot card, or connecting with a friend.

Take your time

Honor your feelings without judgment — everyone feels closed off periodically. You may even thank the resistant parts of you for trying their best to protect you and hold you safe, but note that the curious side of you also justifies space to expand, shine, and grow.

Explore

Even if it’s a faint glimmer, you’ll eventually have a greater sense of your readiness to try a new class or workshop — like a seed of hope being planted. When that happens, set the intention for the perfect offering to find you. You’ll be surprised — maybe even face-palming-ly so — when the exact right offering pops up with a facilitator and energy that aligns with your needs and maybe even takes you perfectly out of your zone to that starry-eyed, slack-jawed, “My life changed in that moment.”