Choose to be centered.

When I was 15 years old, my dad taught me how to get centered. He explained what centering was and showed me some basic centering exercises. Then, he gave me a book on centering to “borrow” (my dad rarely gives you things to keep, he gives you lots of things to borrow, even when you don’t really want to borrow them, and he really emphasizes the word borrow when he gives you something). The book is called Journey to Center. It was written by Thomas Crum. Right away, I fully bought into this concept of centering. I read the book from cover to cover in less than a week, quite the achievement for a teenager who thought he hated reading. But at that time, I would have done anything to be a better basketball player, and I thought that centering was the thing that would give me an advantage over others. In hindsight, I was missing the point of centering. What I didn’t realize at the time was that centering would be the thing that would ultimately change my life for the better, and that it would go well beyond basketball.

I continued to “borrow” the book from my dad for the next couple of decades (no wonder he puts so much emphasis on the word borrow). I have re-read it several times now. A few years ago, when I finally attempted to return the book, my dad said, “I don’t think that’s mine.” I replied, “Well, it’s strange that the author wrote a personalized message for you on the inside of the front cover then.” My dad just smiled and said, “You can keep borrowing it.” I noticed there was more of an emphasis on keep and less of an emphasis on borrow this time. I know my dad well enough to know that he just forgot about the book and probably figured he has enough stuff already, but I like to think of this exchange as a message from him (and from the universe) to keep the book, to keep choosing to be centered, and to keep teaching centering. Although, when my dad reads this, he’s probably going to ask me for his book back.

What is centering?

Thomas Crum describes centering as “the art of being fully alive”. Centering is not an abstract concept. It is a practical tool available to each of us each moment. When you find your center, your mind, body, and spirit align. Your body relaxes. Your thoughts become clear. You become emotionally aware. Crum says, “We have each had the experience of being centered hundreds of times in our lives (often without being mindful of it) … Centering is ‘the zone’ spoken of by great athletes. It can also be a barefoot run on the grass on a summer’s eve, with the wind in your face and your senses wide open. Center is a focus so present that time seems to stop as it does for a child at play.” Think of the times you have felt this way. You have been centered before. You will be centered again. But one of the great things about centering is we don’t have to wait for it to happen to us, being centered is always a choice we can make.

How do I find my center?

I find my center by sitting or standing up straight and tall. Sometimes I close my eyes, sometimes I keep them open, it depends on where I’m at and what I’m doing. I breathe deeply, not just with my lungs, but with my belly as well (imagine how a sleeping baby breathes, imitate that), in, and out. Inhale calmness. Exhale awareness. Then, I place one or two fingers about an inch and a half beneath my navel (belly button), the physical balancing point of my body. I give my full attention to my center for just a few moments. And I don’t think of my center as a small, fixed point. I think of it as an infinitely expansive sphere, radiating out from the center of my body, connecting my soul to everyone and everything around me. As I begin to feel centered (balanced, calm, focused, flexible, energized, aware, and fully alive), I take a few more deep breaths, and then I return to whatever it is that I am doing, but I do so with a heightened state of consciousness. I choose to be centered whenever I feel tense during a basketball game, whenever I stop at a red light in traffic, whenever I feel frustrated or overwhelmed at work, or whenever I just want to be more present with my kids. I also choose to be centered whenever I experience beauty and whenever I go through my “Check-in Checklist” (see my previous post). Being centered isn’t just something I do, it’s something I am, and it’s something I choose.

Practice Centering

What I appreciate most about centering is how simple it is. Centering does not require effort. It only requires intent. That being said, choosing to be centered, like everything else in life, takes practice. I teach my basketball players how to be centered. I’ve shown them a few exercises to demonstrate how centering really works. I’m happy to share these exercises with others, but it is much easier to do in person than it is through written instructions. For those of you who see me in person regularly, let me know if you are interested in learning more and practicing centering with me. And as for my basketball players, I hope you will continue to practice centering, not just to help you be a better basketball player, but to help you live a better life. Just like my dad did for me, all those years ago, as unintentional as it may have been, I am giving you the gift of centering, not to borrow, it is yours to keep. Win the next play!