shadow docent

Adrienne liked to train with packs. To establish cross-training fitness habits—she found solace in the ritual of surrounding herself with others in group classes. She liked being in the middle of the pack—knowing that some of the group were joining for the first time, and others were seasoned veterans. Adrienne embraced this anonymity, and flowed in sync with the pack’s rhythm. These minutes in her early morning were precious because they laid the foundation for her day’s momentum. 

These days, Adrienne trains alone. She streams her workouts on-line, but the experience never supplants the energy conjured through physical practice with others. In the classes, she would be either appreciative or annoyed when the instructor would help tune her movement—depending on her mood. At home, that feedback loop simply didn’t exist.

This morning, she found her guide. She lunged—endeavoring to find a semblance of fluidity in the transitions. But she subconsciously knew that she wasn’t pushing herself in the same way she would with her pack. With seeds of budding complacency, Adrienne was rescued by her shadow.

Her shadow was gracefully cast across the floor beneath her, serving as the silent adjudicator. She tracked her movement, seeking corrective course through its transformative, shapeshifting ability to mimic improper form. Her shadow offered what a mirror could not—it preserved hallowed anonymity while providing dispassionate feedback—pushing Adrienne to reach just a little further.

-m

April 28, 2020