Always Reaching, Never Arriving

Going to the End of the Stretch...

As an Essentrics instructor, one goal is to help my clients reach their maximum flexibility. One technique we use to accomplish this is “Going to the End of the Stretch”. We can only stretch so far before our body’s natural protective reflex kicks in to prevent us from over-stretching and tearing something. Once convinced we’re not endangering ourselves, the reflex releases the restraint and allows us to stretch further. It's a matter of stretch and wait, stretch further and wait again, stretch a bit more and wait. It may take three, four, or five times of going through this stretch and wait process before coming to the true end of the stretch. Sometimes I feel as if I’m always stretching – reaching further and further, but never quite arriving at the real end. There often seems to be more stretch available to me.

Another goal for me this year was to become fully certified as a Level 4 Essentrics Instructor before my birthday, November 15. Success! My official certificate is dated November 7. Yay! Any Essentrics instructor will understand and agree that reaching the end of this rigorous four-level process is quite an accomplishment. Yet, I sense I haven’t arrived. I’m grateful to the Essentrics teacher training team for their commitment to excellence concerning this ever-evolving program. Researching, learning, and growing – always improving for the highest standards of training.

No, I have not arrived. There’s always more to learn, to experience, and to pass on to my clients. It may take a while to get to the end of this stretch. In fact, I may never actually arrive, but I’ll continue reaching, bit by bit. It’s a matter of learn and wait, do and wait, share and wait, grow and wait. And keep repeating until I can’t learn, do, share, or grow any further.

In a way, I’m just beginning. Now is the time to consolidate everything I’ve learned during the four levels of training and take my instruction to the next level. It’s like an exciting and ongoing journey to a wonderful destination that’s always just ahead!