Wisdom From My Crown Chakra
RPM.
For some, this acronym may mean “revolutions per minute.” For others, it may mean ”revenue performance management” or something altogether different. For my triathlon coach (and co-founder of YogiTriathlete), Brian Gumkowski (a.k.a. BJ), it means “rise, pee, meditate”. BJ first introduced me to this entirely different meaning while I was training for my first 70.3 Ironman distance earlier this year as a simple and effective technique which has stuck with me since crossing the finish line in June 2024.
Now, for this blog, we’re not going to focus so much on the” rise” or “pee” (you can all breathe a sigh of relief now) aspects within BJ’s RPM acronym, but more so on the “mediation” aspect. You see, as part of my training plan, BJ included 15 minutes of meditation everyday and prescribed it pretty much first thing in the morning. It was a practice to help train my mind, and like any sport, the mental aspect is just as important as the physical readiness. While of course there were mornings when my mind wanted to go straight to that warm cup of coffee or tea, I reminded myself to resist the urge to do so and instead - headed directly to my cozy spot in the house to “get my mediation on”. By doing so, I was setting myself and my day up for success and felt like a better person as a result. I always came out of meditation deeply connected to my entire body, aware of my internal state and grounded in my being. I felt calm, lighter in my body and that feeling carried with me throughout the day, which helped me remain open and curious in all subsequent interactions I had personally and professionally. And on the days where I skipped my morning meditation (yes, I’m human and it happened), I noticed I was more reactive and my body was quicker to experience “fight or flight” reactions, which wasn't good for myself or my training.
I’ve continued with this meditation practice, even after completing my Ironman triathlon event, and while it sometimes varies day-to-day depending upon what I’m feeling, I still manage to incorporate those important 15 minutes for myself. Some days I practice breath work, other days I sit in silence and some mornings I stream a guided meditation that speaks to me. Whatever I desire, I do. It has become that easy. The only non-negotiable is to sit with my eyes closed for at least 15 minutes everyday.
Image from Total Health Systems.
Recently, I streamed a guided Chakra meditation by BJ’s wife (and YogiTriathlete co-founder), Jess Gumkowski. During that meditation I had an experience that really stuck with me. And for those of you that are saying right now, “Abby, what the heck are chakras?” - chakras are energy centers in the body that are a part of many spiritual and alternative health practices originating from ancient India. During the meditation that Jess hosted, we consciously brought attention to each of these energy centers. We started at the very bottom with our Root chakra, which is located at the base of the spine. Time was spent breathing into each center, allowing whatever thoughts to arise and to cleanse the space within. We repeated this cycle for each of the seven chakras and upon reaching my Crown (located at the top of the head, or actually just slightly above it) I received the following message, “Release the pressure - laugh, have fun.”
It’s not frequent that I receive a message or image in meditation; however, when I do, it always stops me in my tracks because it’s exactly what I need at that moment. I’ve come to learn and trust that our “higher-self” is always looking out for us, and in this instance it was no different.
Between unpacking from our cross-country trek, getting settled in our condo, adjusting my body to being at a higher elevation (where we are in the desert is at nearly 3,000 feet) and juggling all my “solopreneur” tasks - this message was a friendly reminder that I didn’t realize I needed. It was a reminder to pause and to let go of the unnecessary and self-created pressure. It was a reminder to enjoy the transition to our new home in Arizona and smile / laugh frequently. It was a nudge towards embracing more fun in all of my day-to-day tasks and moments.
If you're anything like me, chances are you are also a hard worker, an overachiever, maybe a bit of a perfectionist, a people-pleaser and / or a multi-tasking extraordinaire. While possessing any combination of these traits enables us to get a sh*t ton accomplished in a short amount of time - when not kept in check they can create an unbalance in our mental, emotional and physical health. This is why that mediation message for me was perfectly timed. It reminded me that I have a choice and I have the power to choose the energy I wanted to bring and carry throughout each moment of my day.
And guess what? So do you! As you go throughout your day, and especially as we enter a busy holiday season, try to incorporate BJ’s acronym of RPM into your daily routine or simply just find your 15 minutes of silence to check-in with yourself. Use the questions below to help you explore what you’re feeling and how to bring even more playfulness, creativity and softness to each moment:
Where do I feel tension in my body?
How can I prioritize self-care?
Who can I reach out to for support?
What are all the ways I can have more fun doing this task?
How many times did I smile and/or laugh today?
And if in asking yourself these questions, you’re finding you’re in need of some help calming the mind / answering them - or, you’d simply like to share your responses with someone - then feel free message me. I’d love to help you explore how you can bring that playfulness, creativity and softness to more moments in your life.