by Omer Day 25
10 Iyar 5780
Monday 4 May 2020
Today, we plank. For seven minutes.
Ok there’s more (sort of). Today’s Omer sefirot framing is Netzach within Netzach — endurance within endurance — and our practice takes us into a place of both physical and mental endurance. The goal is to stay moving through plank positions for seven straight minutes. Modifications are listed below that should help to make this practice accessible for most people (and please be in touch if you’re not seeing something that works for you). Regardless of what level and form of plank you choose, this should be something that puts you into a place of discomfort. Notice how you physically and mentally manage that discomfort. Do you feel an inclination to let go? An urge to push through? Do you get angry? Frustrated? Calm? Are these feelings similar or different to what you might feel in challenging and uncomfortable situations that are more mental than physical?
In our Counting of the Omer we move past the halfway mark tonight! Which is an accomplishment in itself, and also means we have quite a few more days to go. What learnings would you like to bring with you through the next 24 days and beyond in your ability to endure discomfort and challenge?
☀️Omer Day 25 practice [10 Iyar 5780 | Monday 4 May 2020]☀️
- Set a timer for seven minutes. You may choose to place it in a location where you can see it, or somewhere that you can hear but not see it.
- Start the timer and begin a plank hold to the front (see notes for options here). Hold this position until you feel the need to move. Focus on breathing into your core.
- Move into a plank position on the left (left hand or elbow to the ground, shoulders squared towards your right). Hold this position until you need to move.
- Return to front and hold, then move to a plank position on the right, and again back to front.
- Continue moving through these positions for all seven minutes. While you may need to modify your positions as you move through, the goal is to stay moving through this rotation for the entire time.
- Optional: spend a few minutes journaling following your practice, using the prompt of noticing how you managed your discomfort during this practice.
🌀Materials🌀
- Timer
- Flat open space
- (optional) Notebook and writing utensil
✨Practice Notes ✨
- Planks may be done either on your hands (arms fully extended) or elbows (arms bent 90 degrees). Keep a neutral (straight) spine and tucked pelvis.
- Focus on breathing into your core.
- There is no set amount of time between rotations — pay attention to your body and notice when it feels like the right time to rotate.
- Bring your knees (in front position) / hips (in side positions) to the ground if and when needed. Try to still push through your hands / elbows and maintain stability in your core.
- If you feel *pain* then pause or stop your practice. That said, notice the different between pain and discomfort. The latter (discomfort) is something we encourage you to push through, but not the former (pain). Sometimes we lose sensitivity to the difference. That’s part of what this practice is about.
☀️ This post is part of our Omer Wellness Series – a daily 7-minute opportunity for introspection and intentional focus on caring for ourselves, each other, and our environment in this incredibly challenging time. ☀️
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